Jurgen Klopp’s decision to turn around when James Milner struck home his penalty against Manchester City on Sunday isn’t anything new.The German didn’t watch penalties during his time as Borussia Dortmund’s manager and has continued his superstition in England.He turned away for Milner’s spot-kick against Bordeaux in the Europa League last season, and also missed the Englishman’s penalty against Tottenham Hotspur last August.Klopp insists it’s not a superstition; he instead enjoys watching the crowd and hearing them celebrate.“I don't look at penalties too often,” he’s quoted as telling the Liverpool Echo in the past.“I would say that in general I'm not superstitious but when we shoot the penalties it probably says something completely different.“I just enjoy the noise after he has scored. All good.”

Why he turned away for Milner's penalty vs City

It’s reached the point now where Klopp simply doesn’t want to jinx Milner. The former Manchester City has has scored all 10 of his penalties since the German’s arrival in October 2015 and so Klopp thinks: ‘Why change?’

“I don’t want to touch wood, but I hope it stays like this,” he told Liverpool’s website.

“The only reason I don’t watch them is because from the start of the season he is doing a job well without my support.

“So that’s why – I don’t want to be responsible if he fails one or misses one! That’s the only reason.”

It’s like a football fan wearing a certain pair of socks on each match day. Klopp can no longer watch Milner take a penalty, even if he wanted to.

Video: Klopp turns around for Milner's penalty

Klopp praised Liverpool's performance

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium leaves them fourth in the table with a good chance of securing automatic qualification to the Champions League.

Klopp was pleased with the performance of his players, although he is aware that the three points were there for taking after Milner’s opening goal.

“All the boys defended with a big heart,” he added. “I saw a lot of good football, it was not only fighting and pressing – there was a lot of good football.

“There were 15 minutes maybe, in the second half, when we really had them; it felt like ‘OK, come on, now do it’ and we didn’t. We lost a little bit of direction in these moments.”

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