Klopp "risks" Punishment After Accusing referee Paul Tierney Of Having an Issue With Him and Liverpool

Okeke George Chijioke

May 1, 2023

the ex-Ajax tactician appeared to support a United fans' group's stance on the ownership of the Glazer family.

Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, may potentially face disciplinary measures following his accusation that the referee in their thrilling 4-3 victory against Tottenham on Sunday held a bias against his team.

Diogo Jota, the Portuguese international, secured a victory for Liverpool at Anfield with his stoppage-time goal, which came just 99 seconds after Tottenham believed that Richarlison's first Premier League goal for the club had earned them a point, having trailed 3-0.

Despite the thrilling victory, Klopp was extremely dissatisfied with the refereeing throughout the match. He was so enraged that he ran down the touchline towards fourth official John Brooks to celebrate ecstatically, but ended up injuring himself in the process.

Klopp heavily criticized referee Paul Tierney.

"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."

The German boss, asked what Tierney had said, replied:

"I will not say anything about it. The refs don't say what is said so I don't say what is said."

Despite his criticism of Tierney, Klopp went on to mention Tierney's performance in Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Tottenham away from home 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."

As for his touchline antics following Jota's winning goal, Klopp said:

"Of course, we are emotional in these moments. It's difficult. It is not OK, we shouldn't do that.

"I didn't say a bad word to the fourth official -- not at all -- but I pulled my hamstring probably in that moment so, fair enough, I'm already punished."

Ryan Mason, Tottenham's manager, was also dissatisfied with the officials, particularly the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), after the loss that placed Spurs in sixth position in the table, trailing Liverpool by two points.

The interim head coach questioned why Diogo Jota was not sent off after making a high challenge on Oliver Skipp, which resulted in a yellow card.

"I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn't (a red card)," said Mason. "I can understand referees on the pitch missing it."

He added: "We want 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 big decision, a crucial decision and one you can't really miss."