PGMOL Says Paul Tierney ‘Acted In A Professional Manner’ After Jurgen Klopp Feud

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited has refuted Jurgen Klopp’s claims that referee Paul Tierney acted inappropriately during Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday.

Klopp received a yellow card from Tierney for his wild celebrations in front of fourth official John Brooks after Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time goal at Anfield, just 99 seconds after Richarlison had leveled Tottenham in a seven-goal thriller.

The Liverpool manager injured his hamstring in the process and in his post-match interview he was very critical of Tierney, accusing the match official of speaking to him in a way that was “not right”.

But PGMOL said in a statement: “PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jurgen Klopp after his team’s match with Tottenham Hotspur.

“Match officials in the Premier League are recorded at all games via a communications system and having fully reviewed referee Paul Tierney’s audio from today’s match, we can confirm that he acted in a professional manner throughout. including as he admonished the Liverpool manager so we therefore strongly reject any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were inappropriate.”

Klopp is facing heavy censure from the Football Association for his comments and behavior on the touchline.

The German escaped a touchline ban in October and was instead fined £30,000 by an independent commission after he was sent off for confronting referee Anthony Taylor during Liverpool’s game against Manchester City at Anfield.

After Liverpool wrested victory from Tottenham, Klopp told Sky Sports: “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us, he has said there is no problem but that can’t be true.

“How he looks at me, I don’t understand. My celebration was unnecessary, which is fair, but what he told me when he gave me the yellow card is not right.”

Asked what Tierney had said, Klopp added: “I won’t say anything about it. The referees do not say what is said, so I do not say what is said.

Klopp reignited his long-standing feud with Tierney, citing last season’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham in London.

Klopp said: “Paul Tierney didn’t give Harry Kane a red card, but Robbo (Andy Robertson) got a red card. It wasn’t the first time, there are so many things”.

On his celebration in front of the fourth official, Klopp added: “Of course we are excited right now. It’s hard. It’s not right, we shouldn’t do that. Yes, we are role models, but above all we are human beings.

“I didn’t say a bad word to the fourth official, not at all, but I probably strained my hamstring at the time, so, fair enough, I’m already grounded.

“A just punishment for not behaving in the right way. I have pain for a few days, Mr. Tierney no.