Jurgen Klopp and Xavi shared the spoils on their first international match, as the Netherlands snatched a dramatic late 1-1 win. Nations League draw Against Germany.
Klopp, who captains his native Germany, and Barcelona icon Xavi, who took the reins in the Netherlands, were playing for the first time since their appointments after the World Cup.
Klopp appeared to be on his way to achieving the opening win before his former Liverpool winger Cody Jacobo equalized in stoppage time.
But the occasion was soured because two key Premier League strikers suffered injuries in the first half.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz was forced off early in Amsterdam after being hit by a knee-high boot from Quentin Temper. Moments later, Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey – who had just scored a stunning hat-trick against Manchester City – went off with an apparent muscle problem and had to be replaced.
On the pitch, Germany took the lead first through Felix Nmecha, who converted from close range just before half-time to give Klopp a bright start.
The Dutch pushed for a comeback, and Xavi found his spark from the bench. The late substitute Robin van Bommel made history as the third generation of his family to represent the Netherlands – after father Mark van Bommel and grandfather Bert van Marwijk – and he got the job done when it mattered most. The new signing sent in a precise cross in stoppage time for Jacopo to turn home.
Klopp said: “We have to accept the result. “Even though I wanted so much to win, I took the toss.
“There were two teams, two very good football teams, in the same situation. They both wanted to prove that things are not quite as bad as they are currently perceived. It showed in the match.
“I was very, very happy with a lot of individual performances. Overall, I was very happy with the passion we showed. We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.”
