DIEGO SIMEONE has revealed why he clashed with a Liverpool fan after Atletico Madrid’s defeat at Anfield.
The gaffer had seen his side battle back from 2-0 down to go within minutes of clinching a hard-fought point in the Champions League.
But Atleti suffered heartbreak when Virgil van Dijk popped up with an added time header to win the match for Liverpool.
Simeone was then sent off after flying into a rage with a home fan in the Anfield crowd.
The hot-headed gaffer was seen trying to confront the supporter following Van Dijk’s winner.
Simeone had to be held back by stewards before eventually being pushed away.
He charged towards the referee while gesturing about the incident.
But Simeone was then given his marching orders, leaving him even more frustrated.
It is unclear what exactly sparked the confrontation.
However, Simeone claimed he was forced to deal with “insults” all night.
And he feels “it’s not easy” brushing them off over the course of 90 minutes.
Simeone said: “They always talk about care, about respect… but they insult you from the crowd all game.
“I can’t say anything back because I’m the coach. My reaction is not justifiable. But after 90 minutes of insults it’s not easy.
“The referee told me he understood the situation. I hope Liverpool can improve on this part and that when they identify the person responsible, they are punished.”
Asked about the insults, he added: “Insults all game long. And gestures too. You don’t know what it’s like.
“But I am the one who has to stay calm, and I have to put up with the gestures, the insults, in any situation.
“Why? Because I’m in a position where I have to put up with it.”
As for the bitter result itself, Simeone noted: “We weren’t lucky with the first goal; it threw us off course, but with the spirit and quality of the lads, we got back into the game.
“And with Llorente, who had a great game, we raised our level, even though they’re very good.
“And we had the game on the edge until a great goal from Virgil left us with a bitter taste in our mouths, but with spirit.”
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