Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may receive a lengthy ban from the FA if he is charged for his comments about referee Paul Tierney, with his poor disciplinary record likely to count against him.
Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time winner gave the home side a dramatic triumph over Tottenham by a 4-3 scoreline and ensured the Reds moved fifth in the league, leapfrogging Spurs. It was an incredible conclusion to a pulsating match, which was peppered with controversial officiating decisions.
Oliver Skipp was lucky to escape a red card in the first half for a dreadful challenge on Luis Diaz before Skipp was the victim in the second half, as Jota – who went on to net the winner – endangered the Spurs midfielder as his boot caught Skipp in the head, drawing blood.
Klopp accused Tierney of having an agenda against Liverpool after the match, while the German coach celebrated the winning goal by running down the touchline before confronting the fourth official. The Reds manager picked up a hamstring injury in the process, such was his exuberance.
Klopp alleged that Tierney had spoken to him in an inappropriate manner when showing him a yellow card following that incident with the fourth official, while not disclosing what the comment was.
FA rules stipulate that any comments that “imply bias and/or attack the integrity of the referee” are a breach of the governing body’s rule E3, with that charge now likely to be sent to Klopp.
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As per The Times, any punishment for the German boss is likely to be influenced by his patchy disciplinary record. After Klopp received a one-game touchline ban after confronting Anthony Taylor during the Premier League clash against Manchester City in October, with the regulatory commission stating its reasoning that “considered [Klopp’s] previous disciplinary record to be an aggravating factor”.
There are five games remaining of the campaign and while it is unlikely that Klopp will be given a ban for that length of time, that precedent was previously set with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011. As outlined by The Guardian at the time, Ferguson's record ban of five games was influenced by his previous discretions - which could count against Klopp now.
Klopp is likely to find himself in hot water whatever the length of the ban is. He faces two potential charges of firstly implying bias by Tierney and secondly for his claim about the exchange he had with Tierney. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the elite referees’ body, insists that the recording proves Tierney behaved in a “professional manner”.
“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 [Sunday’s] fixture,” the PGMOL said in a statement. “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.”
Klopp said after the game: “We have our history with Mr Tierney. I really don’t know what he has against us. He has said there is no problems, but that cannot be true.
“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. In England nobody has to clarify these situations, it’s really tricky and hard to understand. What he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not OK. I will not say anything. The refs don’t say what is said, so I don’t.”
Speaking of his celebration in front of the fourth official, Klopp added: “My celebration was unnecessary, which is fair. It is not OK, we shouldn’t do that — we are role models, but first and foremost human beings.
“I didn’t say anything to the fourth official, but turned around to him to celebrate. I got a yellow card, but I think he thought I should have got a different punishment. The hamstring is bad enough, so fair punishment for [me] behaving not the right away. I’ll have pain for a few days, Mr Tierney not. I will be ready for the next celebrations.”
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett called for the authorities to step in and ensure the Reds boss was punished. "It is high time the authorities brought Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to book over his unacceptable touchline antics," Hackett told The Telegraph. "He is becoming a serial offender."
Alan Shearer also aimed a dig at Klopp on Match of the Day, saying he was “lucky” not to be sent off for his reaction to Jota’s goal. TalkSport pundit Simon Jordan called him “bloody unprofessional”.
