Unhappy Jurgen Klopp makes frustration clear after "insane" Liverpool decision

26 December 2023 , 20:38

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Unhappy Jurgen Klopp makes frustration clear after "insane" Liverpool decision

Jurgen Klopp was happy with Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Burnley that sent them top of the Premier League table.

But the Kop boss was once again left to lament the match officials, after seeing his side on the end of an offside decision that he labelled "insane".

Just three days after seeing Martin Odegaard get away with a spot of basketball in his own penalty area during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield, Klopp was left far from pleased at seeing Harvey Elliott have a goal disallowed at Turf Moor. The young midfielder thought he had doubled the Reds’ advantage with a smart left-foot finish early in the second half.

But after VAR intervention, the strike was ruled out for offside against Mohamed Salah - a second disallowed goal on the evening for Liverpool - despite the Egyptian seemingly being shoved into an offside position by a Burnley defender.

“It’s insane - honestly," said Klopp. “This man, if he never played football, then it can happen. You think ‘offside rule, let me see, page seven, there’s somebody between him and the goalie’ - that’s ridiculous.

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"Why do referees create their own view on something? We all need referees, but we need them with the right interpretation of the rules. How can you make this situation not a goal? That’s a clear goal.

"It's like, wow. Handball is sometimes handball and all these kinds of things."

The assistant referee speaks with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (AFP via Getty Images)

Darwin Nunez had earlier handed Liverpool the lead with a fine finish, and despite dominating against Vincent Kompany’s relegation-threatened side, they only made sure of the points when Diogo Jota added a second in injury time with his 50th goal for Liverpool.

Nunez’s goal ended the Uruguayan’s 12-match goal drought for the club and Klopp remarked: “An incredible finisher but if a striker doesn't score, the whole system is not the same. You question everything. It's not just the outside world, but you question everything. But it was just in the moment and he has it so it's all good."

Club captain Virgil van Dijk added on Nunez: "As a striker if you don't score for a little bit it could get in your head but I don't really see that with the guys. It's really good to see and we have to keep pushing each other to stay hungry. We have a lot of hunger in the team so let's keep that up."

Alex Richards