Jurgen Klopp and Xavi shared the spoils on their international debuts as the Netherlands snatched a dramatic late 1-1 Nations League draw against Germany.
Klopp, leading his native Germany, and Barcelona icon Xavi, taking the reins of the Dutch, were in action for the first time since their post World Cup appointments.
Klopp looked set for an opening win before his former Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo levelled in added time.
The occasion was soured, however, by a pair of first-half injury blows to key Premier League forwards.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz was forced off early in Amsterdam after catching a high boot to the knee from Quinten Timber. Moments later, Sunderland frontman Brian Brobbey – fresh off netting a sensational hat-trick against Manchester City – pulled up with an apparent muscle issue and had to be replaced.
On the pitch, Germany struck first through Felix Nmecha, who converted from close range before the interval to hand Klopp a dream start.
The Dutch pushed for a way back, and Xavi found his spark from the bench. Late substitute Rúben van Bommel made history as the third generation of his family to represent the Dutch – following father Mark van Bommel and grandfather Bert van Marwijk – and delivered when it mattered most. The debutant whipped in a pinpoint cross deep into stoppage time for Gakpo to convert.
“We have to accept the result,” Klopp said. “Even though I badly wanted to win I take the draw.
“There were two teams, two very good football teams, in the same situation. Both wanted to prove that things aren’t quite as bad as they’re currently perceived to be. And that showed in the match.
“I was very, very, very pleased with a lot of the individual performances. Overall, I was very happy with the passion we showed. We can play better and play more football, that’s for sure.”
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