Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp risks sanction for referee ‘against us’ rant

LONDON – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could face disciplinary action after accusing the referee in Sunday’s dramatic 4-3 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur of bearing a grudge against his team.

Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time strike sealed victory at Anfield, just 99 seconds after Spurs thought that Richarlison’s first Premier League goal for the club had rescued a point for the visitors, who had been 3-0 down.

Klopp, however, was so incensed by the officiating throughout the match that he charged down the touchline to celebrate wildly in front of fourth official John Brooks – and seemingly injured his hamstring in the process.

The German then lambasted referee Paul Tierney for booking him for his celebration.

“We have our history with Tierney. I really don’t know what he has against us. He has said there is no problem but that cannot be true,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. My celebration was unnecessary, but what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not OK.”

When asked what Tierney had said, he replied: “I will not say anything. The refs don’t say what is said so I don’t say what is said.”

But that did not stop him from going on to reference Tierney’s performance during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw away to Spurs last season.

“Paul Tierney didn’t give Harry Kane a red card but Robbo (Liverpool’s Andy Robertson) got a red card. It was not the first time. There are so many things,” he said.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited said in a statement that, having checked audio of the game, Tierney “acted in a professional manner”.

“We strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were improper,” the statement added.

Earlier, Klopp explained his touchline antics following Jota’s winning goal by saying: “Of course, we are emotional in these moments. It is not OK, we shouldn’t do that.

“But I didn’t say a bad word to the fourth official – not at all – I pulled my hamstring probably in that moment so, fair enough, I’m already punished.”

Klopp has been punished for comments about referees in the past. He was fined £45,000 (S$75,500) by the FA in 2019 for remarks about Kevin Friend.

Tottenham’s caretaker manager Ryan Mason was also unhappy with the officials, particularly the video assistant referee (VAR), following a defeat that left Spurs sixth in the table, two points behind Liverpool in fifth.

Before the thrilling late goals from Jota and Richarlison, Klopp’s men went ahead 3-0 in the first 15 minutes via Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. Spurs then fought back as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min scored.

Mason wanted to know why Jota was not sent off after a head-high challenge on Oliver Skipp led to only a yellow card.

“I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn’t (a red card),” he said.

“I can understand referees on the pitch missing it. We wanted the VAR to help the official on the pitch at that moment, but an experienced referee and VAR haven’t given it... It was a crucial decision and one you can’t really miss.” AFP, REUTERS