Jurgen Klopp says he regrets his behaviour after Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham and has revealed what referee Paul Tierney said to him on the touchline at Anfield.
Klopp is facing a lengthy ban after he accused Tierney of having an agenda against Liverpool.
He also said Tierney spoken to him in an inappropriate manner when showing him a yellow card for confronting the fourth official as he celebrated Diogo Jota's stoppage-time winner.
Asked for his account of what happened, Klopp said at his press conference on Tuesday: “The whole situation should not have happened. It was out of emotion and anger in that moment. That is why I celebrated the way I did.
“The no foul on Mo [Salah] was directly in front of my eyes. I should have just been happy when we scored but unfortunately I was still angry and that led to the way I celebrated.
“Paul Tierney came over to me, I did not expect a red card. I expected a yellow card. He said to me: ‘For me it's a red card but because of him [the fourth official] it is a yellow'. I felt, ‘Red card? For what? That is how I left.
“I tried to calm down after the game but it did not work out properly and I said what I said. I understand I opened the box. It was not intentional but obviously I opened it.
“Maybe in that moment I should have just said, ‘He said to me it was a red card and I did not think it was a red card’.
“I know Paul Tierney is not doing it intentionally but we have this history and I cannot deny that. Things have happened in the past in decisive games for us. Of course they did not happen intentionally but they are still there.
“I really regret the headlines I created. I have no clue what happens now. We have not heard anything yet from the FA or the refs.”
Asked whether he would accept any punishment that comes his way, Klopp said: “I probably have to expect he punishment. I think the refs think I questioned their integrity… in that moment I just described my feelings.”
