Kromkamp clarifies Reds 'criticism'

PSV Eindhoven defender Jan Kromkamp tonight attempted to placate Liverpool fans ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash at Anfield after being quoted criticising his former club’s style of play.

The 26-year-old Holland international, who moved to PSV from Liverpool in the summer, will be facing his former club in tomorrow’s Champions League Group C decider.

And his return to Merseyside has been marred by reports that he had been critical of his former club’s style, apparently branding them a “long ball team.”

Kromkamp had been quoted in a radio interview suggesting that Liverpool resort too quickly to the long ball up to striker Peter Crouch.

Kromkamp has not only annoyed Liverpool fans, but also former boss Rafael Benitez and he has even received text messages from former team-mates on the subject.

Now Kromkamp says: “I do not want the crowd after me, I want them to know that what I said was misunderstood.

“I had just a short radio interview and I have never said anything bad about Liverpool or the manager.

“I do not understand how anyone could say anything bad about this club, I enjoyed my time at Liverpool and have never said bad things like this. I even had text messages from friends here about it and I want the crowd to understand.”

Benitez, however, had clearly been annoyed by Kromkamp’s alleged remarks, saying: “He is a player who was with us for a year so he will know about us, he will know about our style but he will also know from the training ground the quality we have here.

“It is not nice to see him talking about us the way he has. But he will know the weaknesses and the strengths.”

PSV boss Ronald Koeman, who as Benfica coach won both legs of a Champions League last-16 clash with Liverpool last season, also tried to defuse the situation, saying: “Yes, with Peter Crouch or Sami Hyypia, Liverpool can use a long ball. But that is not their only method of attack.

“They have Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Fowler and with them they obviously play a different way.”

On last season’s Benfica triumph, Koeman said: “I know Liverpool well, from playing them twice last season and this season at PSV.

“Maybe it is true they have problems scoring away from home, but at Anfield they are still very strong. I have fantastic memories of winning here with Benfica, it was a great result in Europe that night.

“I do not feel that Liverpool are very much stronger overall than last season, but they are certainly better up front. Signing Dirk Kuyt has been good for them.

“He is already a very good player, and this is his first experience outside of Holland with a really big club. He is already good, but he will get better, stronger and more confident in the future.”