Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hit out at referee Paul Tierney‘s performance during this afternoon’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
An action-packed and end-to-end contest contained a number of contentious incidents as Liverpool dropped points in the title race and ended the game with 10 men.
Harry Kane was only shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Andrew Robertson, who then saw red himself later in the match after VAR referred Paul Tierney to the monitor.
Diogo Jota was also denied a penalty in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a decision which earned Klopp a yellow card for his protestations – and the Liverpool boss was unhappy with the inconsistency of the officials.
When asked whether Kane should have been shown a red card, Klopp told Sky Sports News: “Yes definitely. You can give Robbo a red card. It is not the smartest challenge but that is definitely a red card. No doubt about it.
“His leg was in the air, it was pure coincidence. Harry cannot judge it. If Robbo’s leg is on the ground it is a broken leg. We have a VAR sitting there and he thinks have a look again at Robertson again. Fine that’s what he is there for. But what did he do in that situation?
“And then there is the penalty situation with Diogo Jota. Mr Tierney told me Diogo stops on purpose because he wants the foul. First and foremost if you want to shoot you have to stop because you cannot do both.
“It is always helpful when you play football yourself. When you see the situation back, the VAR is there. Why is he stopping? I don’t understand. The draw is fine. We are not crazy enough to think we cannot draw at Tottenham but these situations are crucial.
“I have no idea what his [referee Paul Tierney] problem is with me. I was a bit more emotional in the game but he gives me a yellow card but it is not allowed in a situation like this? He comes over and gives me a yellow card but I’d have preferred the right decisions on the pitch.
“We have our complete midfield out, the best centre-half in the world… We lose our captain on matchday so you cannot expect to play the best football game of the season. You have to fight and that’s what the boys did.
“But just an objective ref who sees the situations and judges them. He told me he thinks he stops on purpose. It is incredible. He had the best spot on the pitch and doesn’t give it. You will have to ask him what his problem is with me.”
Liverpool, who now sit three points adrift of leaders Manchester City, will be back in action against Leicester City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
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