When Liverpool hosts Tottenham on Sunday, it will be Jurgen Klopp’s penultimate game in charge of the team at Anfield. However, the German manager will have to contend with a familiar opponent.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is leaving his role at Anfield at the end of the season (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
When Liverpool plays Tottenham on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp will square off against Premier League referee Paul Tierney once more. It promises to be an intense encounter.
Liverpool’s chances of winning the championship have diminished recently as a result of a dismal run of just one win in their previous five games. Following a 2-2 draw with West Ham over the weekend, they fell behind league leaders Arsenal by five points and second-place Man City by four after losing 2-0 to Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Despite this, in anticipation of the German manager’s departure at the end of the campaign, Klopp’s team will be hoping to close out the year strong when they host Tottenham at Anfield this Sunday. But considering their previous meetings, Tierney’s presence might overshadow Klopp’s penultimate home game.
Tierney will officiate the match; his assistants will be Scott Ledger and Mat Wilkes; the fourth official will be Tom Bramall; John Brooks will handle VAR. Despite the fact that Tierney and Klopp had previously argued during two different Liverpool vs. Tottenham games, this decision was made.
Since a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Tottenham in December 2021, Klopp’s dissatisfaction with referee Tierney has been simmering. Andy Robertson’s red card, Harry Kane’s stay in the game despite a similar infraction, and Diogo Jota’s missed penalty appeals left the Liverpool manager looking visibly incensed.
As a result of his protests, Klopp was booked and seen on camera telling Tierney, “I have no issues with any referees.” Just you.” “Mr Tierney told me he thinks Diogo stops on purpose because he wants the foul,” Klopp stated following the game. He cannot run and shoot simultaneously, so the first thing you must do is stop if you want to shoot. Those who have previously played football will always be beneficial.”
When Liverpool defeated Tottenham 4-3 in May of last year, the rivalry reached a fever pitch. After Jota’s last-minute winner, Klopp celebrated by sprinting down the touchline toward fourth official Brooks. Following the match, Klopp implied in an interview with Sky Sports that the referee had a personal grudge against him and Liverpool. Klopp made these pointed remarks about Tierney.
“We have our history, our story with Mr. Tierney,” Klopp remarked to Sky Sports. “I’m not sure what this man is up to with us. Actually, I’m not sure. He’ll always say there’s nothing, which is untrue and impossible to be. I must admit. I don’t understand it, so it can’t be. He looks at me, so I’m not really sure if it’s me. I find it incomprehensible.”
In a rare move, the PGMOL released a statement attempting to “strongly refute” Klopp’s assertions. As a result of his comments, the FA fined him £75,000 and suspended him from playing for two games.
