Jurgen Klopp met with stern PGMOL response after Paul Tierney accusations

30 April 2023 , 22:05

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Jurgen Klopp was angry with the officiating during the game (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp could find himself in hot water with the authorities after the PGMOL issued a statement to "strongly refute" his allegations against referee Paul Tierney.

Klopp gave a fiery post-match interview after Liverpool's 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday in which he suggested Tierney had a problem with his side and had said something inappropriate while issuing him with a yellow card for dissent. Klopp said he really didn't "know what this man has with us", hinting that he thinks Tierney has a grudge against Liverpool.

A statement read: “PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jürgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur.

"Match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system and having fully reviewed the audio of referee Paul Tierney from today’s fixture, we can confirm he acted in a professional manner throughout including when issuing the caution to the Liverpool manager so, therefore, we strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were improper.”

Klopp was shown a yellow card by Tierney after complaining about the decision to give a free-kick against Mohamed Salah in the second half. After Diogo Jota scored a 94th-minute winner, Klopp sprinted down the touchline to celebrate in front of fourth official John Brooks, pulling his hamstring in the process.

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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Klopp said: “It was very emotional of course. Especially the situation before their third goal. How he (Tierney) can whistle a foul against Mo Salah up front when nobody… the linesman is there and keeps the flag down and then the ref whistles that.

"The next situation wouldn’t have happened if we had kept the ball there. Free-kick and then the ball is in [our net], that’s not cool. We have our story, our history with Mr Tierney.

"I really don’t know what this man has with us. I really don’t know. He will always say there’s nothing – and it’s not true, it cannot be. I have to say. It cannot be, I don’t understand it. I’m really not sure if it’s me because he looks at me… I don’t understand it.

Jurgen Klopp ranted against Paul Tierney in his post-match interview (Sky Sports)

"I really have no problem with any people – and with him as well – but it’s just like ‘Again?!’ He was the ref at Tottenham (earlier in the season) when Harry Kane didn’t get a red card. 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 nobody asked him about it because in England you don’t have to clarify situations. It’s really tricky and difficult to understand.

"My celebration towards the fourth officials – I didn’t say any bad words, nothing – but it was unnecessary and I got punished for that immediately. I pulled my hamstring or my adductor, that’s fine, that’s fair. But what he said to me then, when he gave me the yellow card…”

Prompted by interviewer Patrick Davidson to explain more, he replied: “No, it’s not possible. But it’s not OK as well.” Klopp then tried to walk off but was asked another question. “No, because I said already what I want to say so there’s no extra question," he then said.

Felix Keith