Wolves boss Bruno Lage issues public dressing down of ex-Liverpool star after latest defeat
Farrell Keeling
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese head coach Bruno Lage reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium, in London on February 27, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bruno Lage was evidently furious with former Liverpool man Ki-Jana Hoever, claiming the defender’s injury was the direct result of a lack of preparation.
The Wolves boss’ brutal assessment of the 20-year-old was shared on Twitter by Athletic correspondent Tim Spiers, with the Portuguese boss slamming his player’s work ethic.
The youngster did struggle in his side’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace before a hamstring concern forced an injury-related exit from proceedings.
It’s most likely a deliberate tactic from Lage designed to inspire a clear response from the No.2 on the pitch should his injury prove to not be particularly serious.
It contrasts somewhat heavily to Jurgen Klopp’s approach with poor performance, with the German head coach tending to avoid naming names when disappointed with a result.
We’d like to think the highly-rated starlet will show off his potential on a consistent basis eventually – certainly, the pressure will be on Hoever to do so after such a public dressing down from his manager in the wake of the club’s latest loss.
