Jurgen Klopp’s accusations of referee Paul Tierney’s misconduct during Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday have been refuted by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Klopp received a yellow card from Tierney for his enthusiastic celebrations in front of fourth official John Brooks after Diogo Jota’s last-minute goal, which came just 99 seconds after Tottenham’s equalizer.
Klopp sustained a hamstring injury during the incident and criticized Tierney’s behavior in his post-match interview, claiming that the official spoke to him in an inappropriate manner.
But PGMOL said in a statement: “PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jurgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur.
“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.”
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Klopp faces heavy censure by the Football Association for his comments and touchline behaviour.
The German served a one match-ban after the FA won an appeal against the independent commission decision for his behaviour towards assistant referee Gary Beswick during October’s game against Manchester City.
After Liverpool had snatched victory against Tottenham, Klopp told Sky Sports: “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us, he has said there is no problem but that cannot be true.
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“How he looks at me, I don’t understand it. My celebration was unnecessary, which is fair but what he said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not OK.”
When asked what Tierney had said, Klopp added: “I will not say anything about it. The refs don’t say what is said so I don’t say what is said.”
Klopp reignited his long-running feud with Tierney and referred back to last season’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham in London.
Klopp said: “Paul Tierney didn’t give Harry Kane a red card but Robbo (Andy Robertson) got a red card. It was not the first time, there are so many things.”
On his celebration in front of the fourth official, Klopp added: “Of course, we are emotional in these moments. It’s difficult. It is not OK, we shouldn’t do that. Yes, we are role models but we are human beings first and foremost.
“I didn’t say a bad word to the fourth official – not at all – but I pulled my hamstring probably in that moment so, fair enough, I’m already punished.
“A fair punishment for behaving not the right away. I have pain for a few days, Mr Tierney not.”
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