The PGMOL says it strongly refutes comments made by Jurgen Klopp about referee Paul Tierney following Liverpool’s last gasp 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Liverpool raced into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes, only for Spurs to claw themselves back and grab a stoppage-time equaliser which looked like rescuing a point.
Diogo Jota, however, had other ideas, as he capitalised on a defensive mistake before rolling home past Fraser Forster to snatch the win.
Following that goal, Jurgen Klopp seemed to aggressively approach the fourth official – pulling his hamstring in the process – and was subsequently booked by referee Paul Tierney. Speaking in his post-match interview though, Klopp said that Tierney had made a comment that was ‘not okay’ when brandishing the caution.
“My celebration towards the fourth official, I didn’t say any bad words or nothing unnecessary, which is fair. I got my punishment by pulling my hamstring. But what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not okay.”
Klopp’s said that his frustration was down to the fact that Paul Tierney had given a foul against Mohamed Salah in the buildup to Richarlison’s 93rd minute equaliser, before reopening a feud with the official that dates back to December 2021.
“How can they give a foul by Mohamed Salah? The linesman is directly there and keeps the flag down, but the ref whistles?” Klopp told Sky Sports. “Then, the next situation wouldn’t have happened.
"I really don't know what this man has with us?" 😠
Jurgen Klopp on referee Paul Tierney. pic.twitter.com/bbQ150RjMF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023
“We have our history with Mr Tierney, I really don’t know what this man has against us, he has said there is no problems but that cannot be true. It cannot be.
“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. I don’t have problems with any people, him as well. But again? He was reffing against Tottenham [in 2021] where Harry Kane should have got a red card. And I love this player, crazy player and I don’t want him to get a red card, but he should.
“And it’s Mr Tierney. Ask him about it because they don’t have to clarify anything. It’s really tricky and hard to understand.”
18 months ago, Klopp was furious with Tierney at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium at the lack of a red card for Harry Kane, as well as a decision not to award Diogo Jota a penalty.
Jurgen Klopp is not happy with the referee at full-time 😡 pic.twitter.com/POyJl9BzN2
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 19, 2021
“I have no problems with any referees, only you,” Klopp told Tierney at the time. “If you don’t think that this is a penalty, you’ve never played football.”
Klopp then elaborated on his grievances in more detail during his post-match interview.
“The result was fine but the game would have been completely different with two decisions in the first half,” said Klopp. “Let’s start with Robbo. We saw it back and yes you can give a red card there. It’s not the harshest ever but not the smartest as well and he knows that. He lost it a little bit.
“This red card you can give but this was proof that VAR was there today because before that we thought he might not be in his office. I think we all agree that Harry Kane should have seen a red card, and he didn’t.
“The penalty situation: Mr Tierney told me he thought Diogo Jota stopped on purpose, he wanted to get hit. That’s a very exclusive view. It’s really difficult to do these things that quick. It was a very quick decision from him. It’s a clear penalty but he thought it’s clearly not a penalty – wow. That’s obviously two wrong decisions from him, one right, and all three against us.”
“What is his problem with me?” he added.
However, following their latest coming together at Anfield on Sunday, the PGMOL has said it has ‘fully reviewed’ the communications from Paul Tierney’s microphone, and say they ‘strongly refute any suggestions’ of ‘improper’ behaviour or comments by the referee.
“PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jurgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur,” a statement reads.
“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 today’s fixture, 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 could now face investigation and punishment from the Premier League.
