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Cape Town - Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said that he and Diego Costa could never be friends following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday.
Spain striker Costa went to ground under a challenge from Joel Matip to win a penalty that some would consider a dive, and went down several more times, employing the same kind of antics that have seen some label him as a ‘diver’.
Fortunately for Klopp, 'keeper Simon Mignolet was up to the task and saved the penalty, and with it a point for Liverpool.
Asked about the Chelsea striker’s performance, Klopp admitted he is a tough competitor.
"If I had played against Costa I could never be friends, that's how it is, but when you have him in your team it's much more fun. He is a warrior," said Klopp.
"He is not the nicest guy on the pitch but I saw no real big incident and until someone tells me something...
"If someone tells me it was a dive maybe I will be angry tomorrow but that would be the wrong decision what, number 27, but it doesn't make it better."
Klopp was not happy with the penalty award and was seen taking out his frustrations on the fourth official, before he later apologised.
"It was a foul before in my opinion on (Dejan) Lovren, that's what I was a little angry about," Klopp said.
"No one can beat us, was what I said (to Swarbrick). Obviously that's not true but it felt for us like this in that moment.
"I was absolutely the wrong person to say it. I said sorry - I was a bit excited. He said, 'no problem. I like your passion'."
Overall, the Liverpool boss said he was happy with the performance following a poor run of three home defeats.
"I am happy about the performance. I thought we did well. From the first second we were in game, we were aggressive," he said.
"The red shirts had passion, readiness, greed, against experience and coolness and that's difficult."
