Jurgen Klopp slams ‘INSANE’ decision to rule out Harvey Elliott’s goal against Burnley… as Liverpool boss insists referees must stop ‘creating their own views’ and interpret the rules correctly
- Liverpool defeated Burnley 2-0 to top the table on Boxing Day
- Jurgen Klopp was dissatisfied with Harvey Elliott's disallowed goal
- 'Worst decision of the season!' Why can't football lawmakers give us a human error-free system that works? – It all starts
Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the 'insane' decision to disallow Harvey Elliott's goal during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Burnley.
The Reds temporarily moved back to the top of the Premier League with the victory at Turf Moor, but Klopp was far from satisfied with the lead.
Elliott looked to have put Liverpool two goals in the right direction early in the second half when he put aside Ryan Gravenberch's cross past James Trafford with a clever finish.
But following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed by referee Paul Tierney after it was ruled that Mohamed Salah was in an offside position and obstructed Trafford's view.
With the Egyptian partially in front of the Burnley goalkeeper, replays showed Clarets defender Jordan Beyer pushing him into Trafford's field of vision just as Elliott struck the ball.
Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the 'crazy' decision to disallow Harvey Elliott's goal
Referee Paul Tierney disallowed the goal after a lengthy VAR check at Turf Moor
Elliott thought he would put Liverpool 2-0 up against Burnley on Boxing Day
“It's crazy, to be honest,” Klopp said of the decision.
'This man [the referee] if he has never played football, then it can happen. You're thinking: “Offside rule, let me take a look. Page seven, there's someone between him and the goalkeeper” – that's ridiculous.
'Why do referees create their own view on something? We all need referees, but with the correct interpretation of the rules.
'How can you not turn this situation into a goal? That is a clear goal.'
Elliott's disallowed goal came just three days after Martin Odegaard escaped punishment for handling the ball in the penalty area during Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Anfield.
The Norwegian slipped and looked like his arm fell on the ball as he tried to turn, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away Liverpool's calls and VAR official David Coote agreed with the decision on the pitch.
Mohamed Salah (standing in front of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford) was ruled offside in the build-up to the goal
Salah appeared to be pushed offside by Burnley defender Jordan Beyer (No. 5)
A sideways shot showed Salah was in Trafford's field of vision when Elliott struck the ball
PGMOL subsequently explained to Sky Sports that the reason no penalty was given was because 'Odegaard's arm moves towards the body and not towards the ball as he goes down.'
Elliott's disallowed goal ultimately did not stop Liverpool from taking all three points as Diogo Jota sealed the win with a late goal after Darwin Nunez had given the Reds the lead early in the first half.
The win means Liverpool return to the top of the table, at least until Arsenal host West Ham on Thursday evening.
And Klopp, whose side next play on New Year's Day when they play Newcastle at Anfield, praised his team for topping the league without being 'perfect' in the first half of the season.
“The first part of the season wasn't perfect, but absolutely okay,” he said.
'We can't be more than a point away from the top after this week's games, that's within striking distance.
'Whatever the outside world thinks, it is really intense to play four matches in ten days. It has been a very busy period.
'It's nice to be top. I won't raise my arms because that will probably change, but it's very nice to have 42 points.'
