By Victor Kanayo
Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp has been slammed with a two-match ban for comments he made about referee Paul Tierney after his side’s 4-3 victory over Tottenham in April.
The Penalty
It means the German will miss Sunday’s match against Aston Villa at Anfield.
The second game is suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season, providing Klopp does not commit any further breaches in that time.
Klopp suggested Tierney has “something against” the Reds after the Spurs game.
He has also received a £75,000 fine, having admitted that he regretted making the comments.
Klopp Apology
Tendering an apology, Klopp said he was “sorry”, describing that as “the most important sentiment I must express.
“I am sorry for some of the tone and content of my post-match interview. Although it was not my intention I accept now it appears that I was questioning Mr Tierney’s integrity.
“I take ownership of this. On reflection, the words I used were inappropriate.”
Klopp added that his responses were “driven by emotion and a feeling of unfairness”, pointed out how swiftly he had to carry out his post-match duties and that “English is not my primary language and at times what I mean to say and how I say it can conflict”.
