The Football Association have formally charged Liverpool after their players surrounded referee Simon Hooper during last weekend's 4-1 thrashing at Manchester City.
A statement from the FA reads: " Liverpool FC has been charged after its players surrounded a match official during the 34th minute of their Premier League game against Manchester City FC on Saturday 1 April.
"It’s alleged that Liverpool FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or do not behave in a way which is improper, and the club has until Wednesday 12 April to respond."
The incident occurred in the first half of the clash with the score still at 1-1. The visitors were strongly aggrieved after they felt Rodri should have been given his marching orders for a second yellow card.
The City midfielder had only been booked moments previous when he pulled back Cody Gakpo as he attempted to mount a counter attack. However, with the Reds players desperate for Hooper to give him a second caution, he allowed him to remain on the field of play.
And that decision played a crucial role in the afternoon's proceedings as Pep Guardiola's side clicked into gear after the break to condemn Liverpool to another heavy defeat.
Former Premier League ref Mark Halsey had warned Jurgen Klopp and his side that a fine could be on the way, despite believing Rodri should have been sent off. "Rodri can count himself lucky Simon Hooper chose to referee the game in a lenient way because on another day his first half challenge on Cody Gakpo could have resulted in him getting a second yellow card for denying a promising attack."
He added: "The players surrounded the referee and that’s not something we want to see."
Liverpool copped the same punishment as recently in February, when they were charged by the FA following the Merseyside derby with Everton. On that occasion, the two groups of players clashed following a disagreement between Jordan Pickford and Andy Robertson.
Klopp felt his side were hard done by against the champions, but doubted whether it would have changed much considering City's dominance. He said: "I didn’t see good enough. I realised the situation but could he have got a second yellow? Yes, probably. He will not get it now. And yeah I’m not sure we would have won today against ten men."
Meanwhile, City boss Guardiola has escaped retrospective action following his over exuberant celebrations of his side's opening goal. He was criticised for appearing to celebrate in the face of Liverpool sub Kostas Tsimikas, but the FA opted to not charge for a breach of FA Rule E3 which states all participants must not 'act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute'.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola was adamant he had not crossed a line, telling reporters: “I was happy and I said ‘how nice was our goal?’ That’s all.”
Asked if he was simply having fun, Guardiola then responded: “Of course, come on.” Pressed on whether he felt his celebration lacked respect, he replied: “I’m so sorry. Speak with Tsimikas, speak with Arthur for a lack of respect. Ask him if I lack respect. I celebrated the goal.
"I celebrate with my son on the floor and I come here and I say ‘the goal was nice, wasn’t it?’ That’s all. I’m so sorry. Do you think it was a lack of respect? Ah okay, I’m sorry.”
