Jurgen Klopp called for clarity on who will be receiving his £75,000 fine, with the Liverpool boss stating he would need to talk with the FA should the money go to the governing body.
Having been charged with improper conduct for his comments aimed at referee Paul Tierney, following Liverpool’s dramatic win over Tottenham last month, it was announced this week that Klopp had been handed a two-match touchline ban, one of those suspended until the end of the next season, and a fine.
It means he will not be on the touchline at Anfield on Saturday when Liverpool host Aston Villa, an outcome Klopp has accepted but in his pre-match press conference he stated his desire for the fine to go to “a good cause”.
“I expected a punishment,” the Liverpool boss told reporters.
“I would like to know where the money goes. If it’s for a good cause, I’m more than happy to pay it. If not, if the FA keeps it, then we have to talk again and I think it’s a bit harsh.”
Liverpool will pay tribute to James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the match against Villa, with it confirmed earlier this week that the quartet will be leaving the club when their contracts expire in the summer.
Klopp will be allowed back on the Anfield pitch by that point, and he is keen that the four players are given a fitting send-off and celebrated for their roles in the club’s success domestically and in Europe over recent seasons.
“It’s super emotional, we really say goodbye to from my point of view four Liverpool legends,” Klopp said.
“Two of them were here when I arrived, Milly and Bobby. Nothing would have happened, all the good things in the last years, without them. That’s clear.”
He added: “All four won pretty much each available trophy. But it’s professional football, nothing is forever. It’s a good moment, because it means one chapter will be closed and we can start writing a new one, for them and for us.
“I will be forever thankful to them. Without them, nothing would have happened. They were super important.”
