What Liverpool's rivals believe Jurgen Klopp's replay comments are really about

06 October 2023 , 08:10

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What Liverpool's rivals believe Jurgen Klopp's replay comments are really about

Liverpool's rivals believe Jurgen Klopp's idea that the controversial 2-1 defeat against Tottenham should be replayed is an attempt to pressure referees into favouring the Reds.

Klopp made the comments after a Luis Diaz goal was wrongly disallowed for offside, with VAR Darren England and assistant VAR Dan Cook believing the original on-field decision was a goal when in fact it was not. Liverpool later released a statement where they said "sporting integrity had been undermined" by the blunder and promised "escalation and resolution".

And after the PGMOL released the audio of the decision, Klopp said he felt the game should be replayed. "The audio didn't change it at all because I was not really interested in why things happen," he said.

"I saw the outcome, I saw a goal, and I saw it didn't count. It's really important that we deal with it in a proper way. The only outcome should be a replay…probably won't happen.

"The argument against that will be if we open that gate everyone will ask for it. I think the situation is unprecedented. I'm 56 years old and I'm absolutely used to wrong decisions.

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"But something like that as far as I can remember has never happened. That's why it should be a replay. "According to a report from the Daily Mail, Premier League rivals are 'convinced he is trying to increase pressure on referees to give his side favourable decisions'.

It is a claim that has been levelled at Klopp in the past, with veteran referee Keith Hackett claiming he was "trying to influence the match officials" by branding Burnley's tackling "too dangerous" in 2021. Former Premier League official Mark Clattenburg also made a similar claim a season earlier.

Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool's game against Tottenham to be replayed (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Clattenburg accused Klopp of trying to "influence referee Paul Tierney and get inside his head" before a game against Manchester United by pointing out that the Red Devils had been given "more penalties in two years than I had in five-and-a-half years". However, Liverpool have insisted Klopp's replay comments are merely 'an attempt to ensure that such an injustice does not occur again'.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb, meanwhile, is set to address the error on the next instalment of 'Match Officials: Mic'ed Up'. The show is set to air on both Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the coming days.

The first edition of the programme, presented by Webb and former England striker Michael Owen, aired last month with controversial incidents such as Wolves being denied a penalty against United and Nathan Ake's goal in Manchester City's win over Fulham being given.

Matthew Cooper