Jurgen Klopp has offered an apology to Real Madrid for his comments over their choice of venue for their Champions League clash last week.
The first leg tie was held in Madrid's Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano - where Zinedine Zidane's side train every day in the lead-up to matches.
Madrid have been forced to play their fixtures there this season due to renovations being made to their usual Santiago Bernabeu home.
But Klopp made a sly dig about the ground after witnessing his side fall to a 3-1 defeat.
"This was strange tonight because it was really difficult with the stadium, but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and it will be good for us," the Reds' boss said following the game.
Madrid legend Jorge Valdano hit out at the Liverpool manager by dismissing any suggestions Real gain an advantage by playing at the training base,
"An empty [Estadio Santiago] Bernabeu is still imposing and affects opponents negatively. Therefore, Madrid actually lose out on a sporting advantage by playing there," Valdano said (via Marca ).
"What [Ronald] Koeman said is also true: Madrid have taken advantage of the situation to create a 21st century stadium, and when it's ready the stadium that'll look like a training ground is Anfield if we're comparing [the two]."
Klopp has now taken on board any criticism and issued an apology, though feels the whole situation has been blown out of proportion.
"People have made so much noise about that thing," Klopp told RMC Sport. "I didn't want to be disrespectful.
"If they think that [Di Stefano] is the stadium they want to play at, that's completely fine for me.
"They play there the whole season. I know the situation and that they are renovating or I don't know what exactly they do.
"That's all fine. But making a story out of what I said is a real joke to be honest.
"If somebody thought I was disrespectful, I am sorry. That was not my intention."
