Liverpool boss Klopp faces lengthy FA ban despite Tierney U-turn

Jurgen Klopp has admitted his regret over his actions in the 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday. The Liverpool manager celebrated in the face of fourth official John Brooks and post-match suggested referee Paul Tierney has an agenda against his team in his post-match media interviews, insisting the official has “something against us”. The Football Association confirmed on Tuesday evening that Klopp has been charged with improper conduct.

An FA statement read said that Klopp’s comments allegedly “imply bias, and/or question the integrity of the referee, and/or are personal/offensive, and/or bring the game into disrepute”. And earlier in the day before learning of the FA charge, Klopp U-turned by admitting he does not think Tierney intentionally makes decision which he does not agree with. He said: “I am very sure he is not doing it intentionally but we have a history and I cannot deny that.”

The German has also offered to apologise to Brooks after sprinting down the touchline to scream in his face following Diogo Jota’s 94th-minute winner at Anfield. Klopp continued: “I could do it, I didn’t even think about it. Honestly, it was not cool but I just celebrated in his direction.

“What did I actually do? I got a yellow card for it but do you think it was bad enough, honestly, for me to give an apology? Was I that close [to him]? OK, well we don’t have numbers for referees and I have to be honest, I haven’t thought about that yet but I can do that easily. That is not a problem.

“I said it was my fault but I just didn’t think it was that bad but it’s how we all know, things that don’t look that bad in your own mind is sometimes different to what the outside world sees. You’re the first to ask me that but I will consider [getting in touch], definitely.”

The Liverpool manager is set for a lengthy touchline ban having already been issued a one-match suspension earlier this season. He had initially only been fined but that punishment was later upgraded and the FA are expected to issue a strong sanction after the Spurs incidents in order to send a message.

Klopp admitted: “I have no clue what is happening now. Everyone tells us something will come. I probably have to expect a punishment – I think the refs think I questioned the integrity [of their colleague].  When I am calm and sitting here I don’t do that, but in the [heat of the] moment i just describe my feelings.

“I know the refs were really angry about what I said and go now for it.” Klopp added that he is remorseful as he explained: “We won a football game 4-3 in a very spectacular manner and the only headlines are the ones I created and I really regret that. It is absolutely not necessary and not how it should be.”

Nonetheless, the FA charge – which Klopp has until Friday to dispute – is likely to come with a multiple match ban. Martin Cassidy, the CEO of Ref Support UK, has even suggested Liverpool may need to be hit with a points deduction.

He told Express Sport on Monday: “Unless the FA start addressing this behaviour with a points deduction it will never change. Giving Liverpool a £30,000 fine is nothing. Start giving them points deductions and watch them shut up and behave.

“We believe that will be one of the silver bullets right across football to address right up from grassroots to the Premier League. There have been touchline bans for decades, but it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse.”