Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reviews the Spurs win
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp faces punishment from the Football Association after another fiery clash with referee Paul Tierney. Klopp conceded that he and his side have a “history” with the official after the Reds’ dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham.
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The German was shown a yellow card by the 42-year-old after celebrating Diogo Jota’s late winner by celebrating in the face of fourth official John Brooks. Klopp alleged Tierney had said something that was “not okay” as he showed the yellow card, which the PGMOL has denied.
"We have our history with Tierney, I really don't know what he has against us. He has said there [are] 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 okay."
But what has caused Klopp’s relationship with Tierney to suffer? Here are seven flashpoints over the years.
Paul Tierney has upset Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp on several occasions (Image: Getty)
Solanke handball, December 2017
Klopp’s first run-in with Tierney happened a little over a year into his Liverpool tenure. Dominic Solanke thought he had scored a late winner for the Reds in a goalless draw with West Brom, only for it to be chalked off for a handball by the striker.
Klopp confronted Tierney at full-time to ask about the decision.
Tierney snaps back, July 2020
One of the more intriguing elements of behind-closed-doors football were the conversations between those involved in the game - which have often been difficult to hear when fans are in the stadium. On one occasion, Tierney was heard snapping back at Klopp’s complaints.
The referee could be heard bluntly telling the Liverpool boss to “get over” one alleged mistake he had made. During a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Tierney said: “I missed it Jurgen. I’m like players, I’m going to make mistakes. I missed it. Get over it.”
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Jurgen Klopp has hit out at Paul Tierney once again (Image: Getty)
During a draw with Newcastle later that year, Sadio Mane had rather honestly stayed on his feet despite clearly being infringed by goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Having not gone down, Mane was not awarded a penalty by Tierney.
Henderson speaks out, January 2021
Tierney also faced the wrath of Liverpool in a clash with Manchester United a month later. The referee blew for half-time just as it appeared that Mane was racing through on goal.
Captain Jordan Henderson said the incident was: “Strange. Very strange.”
He added: “As you can imagine, we weren’t happy about that. I think he’s through on goal if the referee doesn’t blow the whistle.”
Klopp’s dig at Tierney, December 2021
The first time Klopp’s temper at Tierney appeared to boil over came in December 2021. In another ill-tempered match against Tottenham, Andy Robertson was sent off, although Liverpool were fuming that Harry Kane did not see red for a poor challenge on the left-back.
At the end of the game, Klopp raced over to Tierney and declared: “I have no problems with referees, only you.”
Klopp also reminded the referee that he had “never played football” in a heated rant.
Jurgen Klopp was furious with the officials during Liverpool vs Tottenham (Image: Getty)
Robertson-Hatzidakis clash, April 2023
Less than a month ago, Tierney was the man in the middle for another tense game between Liverpool and Arsenal. Although it was not the Manchester-born official who was at the centre of attention - instead, it was his assistant, Constantine Hatzidakis.
After Robertson appeared to grab the official to get his attention at half-time, Hatzidakis raised his elbow and caught the Scot square in the face. Some called for the assistant referee to be punished, but it was clear that the action was a genuine error.
Klopp’s yellow card vs Spurs
And so it came down to Saturday’s clash, where Spurs had staged a remarkable comeback to drag the score back to 3-3. Only for Jota to latch onto Lucas Moura’s error and score a late winner.
Klopp celebrated by approaching fourth official Brooks - appearing to shout in his face - and was shown a yellow card by Tierney. The Liverpool boss alleges that Tierney made an inappropriate comment - which the referee denies - and the incident is now the subject of an FA investigation.