Jürgen Klopp criticized the arbitration on duty after Sunday night’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham United. Liverpool manager believes referee decisions cost his team points against the Hammers. Klopp reacted furiously when he was asked whether, among other things, the first goal against had been incorrectly approved.
West Ham took the lead after four minutes with an own goal from goalkeeper Alisson, who complained that Angelo Ogbonna had fouled him at the corner as he went for the ball. The incident was reviewed by VAR, but the goal stood. Liverpool came alongside before half-time via Trent Alexander-Arnold. After the break, the team of coach David Moyes still won the game thanks to goals from Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma. Klopp saw how his team did not get any further than Divock Origi’s connection goal in the final phase.
Oh dear! West Ham United take the lead at lightning speed! ??
Alisson is not completely there and then gets the goal in his name: 1-0 ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #WHULIV pic.twitter.com/YET1wrSNRX
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Nov 7, 2021
Klopp complained that the opening goal was a pivotal moment for his side. The German coach felt abandoned by the referee. “With the goals and some other situations, different decisions have to be made,” he told Sky Sports. “West Ham’s first goal is fouled by our goalkeeper, Ogbonna’s arm goes against Alisson’s arm, so how can he catch it? That makes no sense. What can Alisson do? That’s why the keeper is protected. When a player raises his arm in the air, that is an important part of the body for the keeper.”
Bee BBC Radio 5 Live he made a similar critical voice. “We looked back, Alisson wants to go for the ball. Ogbonna hits Alisson with his arm, so Alisson hits the ball into his own goal,” said Klopp. “There are countries where anyone would say this is a violation. The keeper must get help, otherwise everyone will run towards the keeper in these kinds of situations. He’s the one who has to make sure he catches the ball. The goalkeeper has no chance, because if he pushes, it’s a penalty.”
Klopp also pointed to a tackle on Jordan Henderson by Aaron Cresswell in the opening stages of the match. Henderson went down in pain after Cresswell tackled him outside the West Ham penalty area. “Aaron Cresswell’s tackle on Jordan Henderson was reckless, even though he touched the ball earlier. At that point, your body has to be under control.” Asked by a reporter whether the West Ham defender should have been ejected, Klopp responded: “My god, I’m not your lap dog. Hopefully you have an opinion of your own.”