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Ozil also came under fire for his performances
at the World Cup in Russia, where the defending champions
crashed out in the group stage, as the 29-year-old quit
international soccer last month over "racism and disrespect" due
to his Turkish roots.
"This is a classic example of absolute misinformation and, of
course, complete nonsense," Klopp told German television channel
Sport1.
"In politics, little things have always been blown up and big
things pushed away in order to continue.
"Normally, intelligent people tend to hold back because it is
not easy to say the right thing. I would count myself too. All
those who have no idea are loud in these conversations."
Ozil and international team mate Ilkay Gundogan, who is also of
Turkish descent and posed with Erdogan, were subjected to jeers
from German fans in warm-up games before the World Cup.
"I don't doubt these guys, at least about their loyalty to our
homeland. The difference is that they have one more thing (in
their heritage)... that's beautiful," Klopp, who coached
Manchester City's Gundogan at their former club Borussia
Dortmund, added.
"Cultural diversity, we all thought it was cool around the
(Germany-hosted) 2006 World Cup... now two guys are seduced by
politically intelligent people to have a photo, and then have
relatively few opportunities to say what they want 100 percent
right.
"That's why I find this discussion hypocritical. Bad things
happened because people were not informed properly. Even the
media should not create a buzz around something like this every
day. Just cool off and see the people behind it."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by John
O'Brien)
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