01 May 2023 , 11:07
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Jurgen Klopp has come under fire from renowned former Premier League referee Keith Hackett following his antics at Anfield on Sunday.
In an incredible finish, Spurs seemingly salvaged a point from 3-0 down when Richarlison nodded home in injury time. But just moments later, Diogo Jota pounced on a defensive error to grab a late winner and spark bedlam amongst the home fans.
Klopp also joined in the celebrations, but in bizarre circumstances as he appeared to run over and scream at fourth official John Brooks before injuring his hamstring and limping back to the bench. Referee Paul Tierney issued him a yellow card immediately afterwards, but the German boss was defiant when he addressed the media after the game, accusing the official of being bias against his team in the past.
Yet former top flight referee Hackett clearly believes Klopp crossed a line, and has called for further disciplinary action. "It is high time the authorities brought Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to book over his unacceptable touchline antics," he told The Telegraph. "He is becoming a serial offender."
His comments followed on from Alan Shearer's equally scathing verdict on Match of the Day. Arguing Klopp should have seen red, Shearer fumed: "He could easily have sent Jota off and should have sent him off, which he [Klopp] wasn't too quick to mention."
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Keith Hackett has called for action against Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)Did Jurgen Klopp cross the line on Sunday? Share your response in the comments below
TalkSport pundit Simon Jordan also argued that citing the emotion of the moment wasn't an excuse. "What he's done is, he's stepped over the line," Jordan said. "You (co-pundit Martin Keown) say he's a human being, we know that. But what he also is - is a bloody professional."
In his post-match press conference, Klopp outlined his issues with Tierney, which date back to another clash between Liverpool and Spurs back in December 2021. Harry Kane controversially escaped a red card for a lunge on Andy Robertson that day, with the game finishing 2-2.
"I really don’t know what (problem) this man has with us," he said. "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 speaks to match officials at the end of the match (PA)But Klopp's desire to seemingly continue his feud with Tierney is set to land him in imminent trouble. A PGMOL statement in the aftermath of his comments on Sunday 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.”