Burnley captain Ben Mee has hit back at criticism from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following the challenge he put in on defender Joe Gomez that has left him with a fractured leg, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Gomez has been sidelined since 4 December due to Mee’s challenge in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Turf Moor.
Klopp was extremely unhappy with Mee’s challenge at the time and made his feelings aware publicly after the game by stating:
When players are sliding in like that it can get dangerous because of the speed and somebody has to say stop with these tackles.
However, Mee has now spoken out at hit back at the comments made by the Reds boss, insisting that injuries are part and parcel with competitive football.
He also went on to state that at the time he felt he had every right to go for the ball and that it was a clean challenge on Gomez.
Mee said:
It’s important to keep it competitive. Especially for lower teams, it’s important we are able to compete with these bigger teams or you’re going to have games where you can’t even tackle, the top players just walk round with a ring round them.
I thought it was a clean tackle at the time, you know if it’s a naughty one or miss-timed it and hold your hands up.
