Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp faces FA charge after his verbal attack on referee Paul Tierney
Jürgen Klopp will be charged by the FA over his interview in which he attacks ref Paul Tierney – and will be suspended for several games for accusing him of having an agenda – as the heads of the refs say, Liverpool boss SONG
Jürgen Klopp is being charged by the FA after the Liverpool manager’s astonishing verbal attack on referee Paul Tierney.
It comes after the Reds’ dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham in which Klopp rushed over to celebrate Diogo Jota’s stoppage time winner in front of fourth official John Brooks – pulling his hamstring.
Tierney then booked the Liverpool boss angry at the decision to award Tottenham a free-kick that led to Richarlison’s equalizer moments earlier.
Klopp said on Sky Sports after the game: ‘What he (Tierney) said to me when he gave me the yellow card. That is not possible. But it’s not okay either,” Tierney added, saying something “unacceptable” to him.
The Liverpool boss is now awaiting a suspension or fine from the FA after PGMOL insisted he lied in a sensational statement.
Jurgen Klopp faces FA suspension after his actions at the end of Liverpool’s win over Spurs
The Reds boss celebrated Diogo Jota’s late winner in the face of fourth official John Brooks
Klopp then accused referee Paul Tierney of making “unacceptable” comments towards him
The referees’ governing body released a statement on Sunday saying: “PGMOL is aware of Jürgen Klopp’s comments following his side’s match with Tottenham Hotspur.
Premier League match officials are recorded in all matches via a communication system and having fully reviewed referee Paul Tierney’s audio from today’s match we can confirm that he acted in a professional manner throughout, including at the giving the warning to the Liverpool manager. so we strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were inappropriate.”
The Liverpool manager has a history with Tierney that stems from a previous encounter with Tottenham Hotspur in December 2021.
Klopp said at the time that Tierney was the only referee he had “problems” with, after being angry that Harry Kane avoided a red card for a challenge on Andrew Robertson – after which the Scot himself was later sent off.
After their clash on Sunday, the German said: “We’ve had our story, history with Mr Tierney.
“I really don’t know what this man has with us. He will always say there is nothing, but it is not true. I can’t, I don’t understand that. It can’t be. I’m really not sure if it’s me, how he looks at me. I do not understand.
“I really don’t have a problem with people, including him. But I say again. He was turning down at Tottenham Hotspur when Harry Kane didn’t get a red card. And Harry Kane, I love this player, what a player, crazy, I don’t want him to get a red card – but it was a red card in that game.
“And it was Mr. Tierney and no one asked him about it because they don’t need to clear up situations. So it’s really tricky and it’s hard to understand and my celebration for the fourth official I didn’t say bad words.
Klopp has been accused of lying when PGMOL refuted his claims about referee Tierney
Liverpool threw away a three-goal lead before Jota capitalized on a late Tottenham error
The hosts had built a three-goal lead in the opening 15 minutes thanks to goals from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
Spurs then fought back with strikes from Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richarlison, the Brazilian’s equalizer in the 93rd minute. But just 99 seconds later, Diogo Jota found the net to make it 4-3 for the Reds.
That goal prompted an over-the-top celebration from Klopp – and after the match, Sky pundits criticized the Liverpool manager.
Graeme Souness said Klopp wishes he didn’t celebrate like he did in front of the fourth official, while Roy Keane said it “didn’t look good” after the German pulled his hamstring during his furious celebration.
Jamie Redknapp continued: ‘Not in a few weeks anyway, then he won’t move very well. By the time he gets there, the game will begin. But no, I can’t approve that.
“Basic roots, everything we try to do, it (that behavior) filters through to young children. It filters for coaches. When you start running in people’s faces like that, it’s not good. He knows that. But you can’t do that. It’s not on.’