Jurgen Klopp has addressed his comments on referee Paul Tierney amid an expected ban for the Liverpool manager.
Klopp is understood to be under investigation from the FA following after accusations aimed at Tierney in the wake of Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
The German suggested the official had an agenda against his side and claimed Tierney spoke to him in an inappropriate manner when showing him a late yellow card.
Klopp was cautioned after confronting fourth official John Brooks in the aftermath of Diogo Jota’s late winner and is expected to receive a touchline ban.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, Klopp discussed his regret at the incident and his controversial comments on Tierney.
“The whole situation shouldn’t have happened at all. It was out of emotion, out of anger,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“That’s why I celebrated the way I celebrated. There was the situation with the foul with Mo [Salah], it was not a foul in my eyes.
“Then we scored, that should be a moment you should just be happy but unfortunately I was still angry. I didn’t say anything wrong. I was shouting ‘without you’
“I couldn’t get close to the fourth official and I didn’t want to get close to the fourth official and then I pulled my muscle. I tried to calm down, it didn’t work and I went into interviews and I said what I said.”
Klopp admitted he should ‘not have said a couple of things’ in regards to Tierney but said he has told no lies.
"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
“I’m sure Paul Tierney is not doing it intentionally but we have a history and we cannot deny that. I am not a resentful person.
“These things have happened in decisive games for us. The refs are really angry about the things I said and going off word things like I was lying. I shouldn’t have said a couple of things but lying was not involved.”
On whether he he had spoken to Tierney or the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), who have since come out in defence of the referee, Klopp added: “I don’t know, it’s not in my hands what is going on.
“We won a football game 4-3 in a spectacular manner and the only headlines were about me and I really regret that, it’s not necessary and it is not how it should be.
“I have no clue what is happening now. We didn’t hear yet from the FA, the refs or anyone else.”
