Klopp revealed that referee Paul Tierney was advised not to send him for his outburst following Diogo Jota’s late winner against Tottenham
After being charged by the FA with improper conduct for his post-match comments about referee Paul Tierney, Jurgen Klopp revealed that the fourth official he confronted after Liverpool’s late winner on Sunday saved him from a red card.
Klopp was critical of Tierney’s performance in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, saying that his team has a “history” with him.
On Tuesday, Klopp said he would consider apologizing to John Brooks for his actions in the final seconds of Tottenham’s seven-goal thriller, and that he would accept any punishment imposed by the Football Association.
Klopp has clarified a series of events that have enraged the referees’ organization PGMOL and earned him widespread criticism in the game.
But it could have been even worse for the emotional German if referee Paul Tierney had shown him a red card instead of the yellow suggested by Brooks.
“Paul Tierney came over and said, ‘For me, it’s a red card, but because of him [pointing at Brooks], it’s a yellow,’ and he shows me a yellow and smiles in my face, and that’s all there is to it.” To be honest, I didn’t think a red card was appropriate; I thought a yellow card was appropriate.
“I didn’t say anything wrong to Brooks; I was shouting, ‘Without you, without you,’ which makes no sense.”
It wasn’t cool, but I just smiled and waved in his direction. I just didn’t think it was that bad, but we all know that what doesn’t look that bad in your head isn’t always what the outside world sees. If it appeared to be a problem, I would definitely contact you.”
Klopp also retracted his post-match claim that Tierney has a vendetta against Liverpool, following a string of controversial incidents in games officiated by the Manchester official over the last two seasons.
PGMOL has categorically denied those allegations, and a repentant Klopp was in full climb-down mode yesterday ahead of tonight’s (Wednesday) home game against Fulham.
“I know he [Tierney] isn’t doing it on purpose, but you can’t deny our history,” he added. “I’m not a resentful person, not at all, but these kinds of things that have happened in decisive games in the past. They were not planned, but they are still present.
“The referees are furious because of what I said. I should have said a couple of things differently, but lying was not involved.”
He attributed his red mist to the emotion of the game, in which Liverpool blew a 3-0 lead before Jota’s added-time winner, just 90 seconds after Tottenham’s third equalizer.
“The whole situation should not have happened at all,” he said. “It was born of emotion and rage at the time.” That is why I celebrated in the manner that I did. We won a game 4-3 in spectacular fashion, and the only headlines were mine – which I deeply regret. It’s neither necessary nor desirable.”
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