Jürgen Klopp is once again targeting the referees – and going beyond his physical limits. Now there are consequences.
After the last-minute winning goal, Jürgen Klopp stormed towards the fourth official with flying fists, shouted his jubilation in his face – and hobbled off the pitch. “I didn’t say a bad word,” defended the Liverpool manager, adding jokingly: “I probably pulled my thigh at that point, so to be fair I’ve already been punished.”
After the painful celebration of the dramatic 4: 3 (3: 1) win against Tottenham Hotspur, the 55-year-old still targeted referee Paul Tierney. “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us,” Klopp said. “He said there was no problem, but that can’t be true.” His jubilation was “unnecessary”, “but what he said to me when he gave me yellow is not okay”.
Klopp vs Tierney – a fiery tale that keeps flaring up. “I have no problems with referees – only with you,” the German once said to Tierney. After a defeat in Brentford, he said he could talk to his microwave instead of the referee, “you don’t get an answer”.
Liverpool FC: Referees reject Klopp’s allegations
His words could have consequences again, Klopp has already had to serve a ban this season for his behavior on the sidelines. The England referees’ panel, after examining the game’s audio recording, “rejected any suggestion that Tierney’s conduct was inappropriate”.
It is still unclear whether repeat offender Klopp faces disciplinary proceedings. Loud Daily Mail threatens the German a suspension of several games.
But Liverpool’s dream of qualifying for Europe after a bumpy season is alive after their fourth win in a row and fifth place in the table. The race to catch up comes too late for a Champions League rank, the top 4 around the new leaders Manchester City have rushed too far.
Premier League: The current table
| Place |
team |
Sp. |
Gates |
differential |
pt. |
| 1. |
Manchester City |
32 |
84:30 |
54 |
76 |
| 2. |
arsenal |
33 |
78:38 |
40 |
75 |
| 3. |
Newcastle United |
33 |
61:27 |
34 |
65 |
| 4. |
Manchester United |
32 |
49:39 |
10 |
63 |
| 5. |
Liverpool |
33 |
65:42 |
23 |
56 |
| 6. |
Tottenham Hotspur |
34 |
63:57 |
6 |
54 |
| 7. |
AstonVilla |
34 |
46:42 |
4 |
54 |
| 8th. |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
31 |
61:40 |
21 |
52 |
| 9. |
Brentford |
34 |
52:44 |
8th |
50 |
| 10 |
Fulham |
33 |
45:45 |
0 |
45 |
| 11. |
Crystal Palace |
34 |
35:45 |
-10 |
40 |
| 12. |
Chelsea |
32 |
30:35 |
-5 |
39 |
| 13. |
AFC Bournemouth |
34 |
36:64 |
-28 |
39 |
| 14 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
34 |
29:50 |
-21 |
37 |
| 15 |
West Ham United |
33 |
37:47 |
-10 |
34 |
| 16 |
LeedsUnited |
34 |
43:67 |
-24 |
30 |
| 17 |
Nottingham Forest |
34 |
30:62 |
-32 |
30 |
| 18 |
Leicester City |
33 |
44:57 |
-13 |
29 |
| 19 |
everton |
33 |
25:50 |
-25 |
28 |
| 20 |
southampton |
34 |
28:60 |
-32 |
24 |
