Jurgen Klopp accuses Brentford of ‘stretching the rules’ at set-pieces

Jurgen Klopp claimed Brentford “stretched the rules” on set pieces after Liverpool’s push into the top four was badly undermined by a painful 3-1 defeat in west London.

Liverpool produced an abject defensive performance as they went down to an own goal from Ibrahima Konate and further goals from Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, leaving them 15 points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.

The manner of the defeat was alarming, with Konate’s deflection into his own net coming from a Mbeumo corner and the same delivery leading to two first-half goals for Wissa being disallowed for offside.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed Brentford ‘stretched the rules’ on set pieces

Liverpool repeatedly failed to deal with the crosses, but Klopp called out the referees for failing to clamp down on Brentford’s apparent shoving and shoving.

He said: ‘They extend the rules right now. They’re really pushing, really holding. The referees… that’s obviously what you can do.’

He added: ‘They extend the rules on set-piece offensive plays. Don’t get me wrong, it’s smart, but they do. If you highlight the situations you will find five faults but it is so chaotic that nobody sees it. But it’s what they do and it’s really good.’

Brentford beat Liverpool 3-1 during their Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium on Monday night, marking their first win over the Reds since 1938.

The manner of the defeat was alarming, with a Konate own goal coming from a Mbeumo corner and the same delivery leading to two first-half Wissa goals being disallowed.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank later responded: “We have some very good referees, I suppose.” We have four on the field and a VAR. It has never been more difficult to score a goal. We had two rejected today.

Klopp looked very frustrated after losing 2-0 in the first half and responded by substituting three players at half time, including Virgil van Dijk. Klopp explained that the Dutchman came out as a precaution.

He said: ‘Virgil felt his hamstring a little bit. He said he was fine, but when I said not to risk it, the physios were very happy with it.

I think it’s nothing serious.

On the broader performance from his side, he added: ‘The game was decided by the second goal, which is absolutely our fault. We got away with an offside goal but then we are not awake. They cross and score and decide the game. The second goal was a gift for Brentford.

The German coach opposed Mbeumo’s goal for the 3-1, alleging that he committed a foul on Konate

Brentford manager Thomas Frank later responded saying they had a good referee for the game.

The German also opposed Mbeumo’s goal for 3-1, claiming he fouled Konate.

“The third was never a goal,” he said. A slight push will make you fall.

Frank was ecstatic after a third win in four, including a win over Manchester City, and one achieved without the injured Ivan Toney.

He said: ‘These players continue to impress me, with their mentality, effort, willpower, togetherness. Somehow it shouldn’t be possible for Brentford to draw with Tottenham, win at City and beat Liverpool. But with great conviction we did it.

“We need to believe that we can beat any team in the world and it’s easier when we beat the biggest teams.”