Mark Clattenburg claims Liverpool were on the receiving end of two fortuitous decisions during their Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
The Reds won 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon to close the gap on Manchester City to nine points with a game in hand on the leaders.
Virgil van Dijk put the visitors ahead with a booming header in the eighth minute and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled their lead with a fine finish at the back post.
Liverpool's second goal was not without controversy as Roberto Firmino was stood in an offside position as Andy Robertson delivered the assist from the left.
Although the Brazilian did not touch the ball, he drew Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell towards him, leaving Oxlade-Chamberlain unmarked to collect the cross and finish powerfully.
Should Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal have stood? Have your say in the comments!
There was another contentious incident in the second half as Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the closing stages after Vicente Guaita was adjudged to have fouled Diogo Jota in the six-yard box.
Referee Kevin Friend waved away the Reds' appeals initially but he was summoned to the pitchside monitor by VAR Craig Pawson and subsequently pointed to the spot.
The likes of Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were aghast with the decision, with the latter branding it "genuinely appalling".
Many felt Jota initiated the contact by veering into Guaita having prodded the ball beyond the Palace goalkeeper.
Clattenburg agrees with this view and he cannot fathom why Pawson intervened as he insists Friend made "no clear and obvious error".
Fabinho stepped up and converted the penalty to ensure Liverpool left South London with all three points, although it was far from plain sailing after Odsonne Edouard halved the deficit in the 55th minute.
Meanwhile, writing in the Daily Mail, Clattenburg also criticised the match officials for allowing Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal to stand.
The former Premier League referee argued Firmino made a "clear attempt" to meet Robertson's cross and Mitchell "would have headed clear" if he was not "interfering with play".
Palace manager Patrick Vieira was more than slightly aggrieved by the decisions which went against his side but was careful to contain his fury.
"[Oxlade-Chamberlain's] goal shouldn't have been allowed. The penalty shouldn't be allowed," the Frenchman told Sky Sports. "So all I can do is give you my frustration. I prefer not to go too far because I don't want to be in trouble."
In his own post-match musings, Klopp claimed he had not seen a replay of the incident before adding: "But I don't think I have to because we thought it was [a penalty] and the referee did.
"The Crystal Palace people did not, which I understand. I can't say anything about it."
