30 April 2024 , 11:04
1247
0
Jurgen Klopp will come face to face with Paul Tierney once again when Liverpool take on Tottenham on Sunday.
Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title this season are over following a run of one win in five matches. After losing 2-0 to Everton in the Merseyside derby, the Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham on weekend, leaving them five points adrift of top side Manchester City and four behind second-placed Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Klopp’s side host Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday and they will try to finish the campaign on a positive note before the German manager leaves in the summer. His penultimate match at Anfield could be soured by Tierney’s presence, given the history between the two.
Tierney has been appointed as the referee for the game with Scott Ledger and Mat Wilkes as his assistants, Tom Bramall as fourth official and John Brooks on VAR duties. Tierney has been given the match, despite previously clashing with Klopp in two separate Liverpool vs Tottenham matches.
DON'T SCRAP REPLAYS!
Premier League odds and betting tips
Klopp’s dislike of Tierney dates back to December 2021 and a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in which Andy Robertson was sent off, but Harry Kane escaped a red card for a similar challenge and Diogo Jota had a penalty appeal waved away. Klopp was booked for his protestations and was caught on camera telling Tierney: "I have no problems with any referees. Only you.”
Speaking after the match, Klopp said: “Mr Tierney told me he thinks Diogo stops on purpose because he wants the foul. First and foremost if you want to shoot you have to stop because he cannot run and shoot in the same moment. It will always be helpful if people have played football themselves in the past.”
Things got much worse in May of last year during Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham. Klopp celebrated Jota’s 94th-minute winner by sprinting down the touchline to celebrate in the face of fourth official Brooks and then made serious allegations against Tierney in his post-match interview.
Jurgen Klopp has history with Paul Tierney (Getty Images)Klopp suggested that Tierney had a grudge against him and his side and also hinted that the referee had said something inappropriate when giving him a yellow card. “We have our story, our history with Mr Tierney,” Klopp told Sky Sports. "I really don’t know what this man has with us. I really don’t know. He will always say there’s nothing – and it’s not true, it cannot be. I have to say. It cannot be, I don’t understand it. I’m really not sure if it’s me because he looks at me… I don’t understand it.”
The PGMOL took the unusual step of releasing a statement to “strongly refute” Klopp’s allegations and he was later handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £75,000 by the FA for his comments. Klopp will be hoping to keep his emotions in check this weekend, with the end of his eight-and-a-half-year stint at the club in sight. But the fiery row with Mohamed Salah on the touchline against West Ham on Saturday showed that tempers are fraying at the club.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our