Jurgen Klopp: “The Penalty Was Not Even A Foul”

The boss was again frustrated with refereeing after Liverpool
clawed their way to victory against Sheffield United, but happy
with how his team responded

It wasn’t pretty, but Liverpool showed the mental fortitude we’ve come to
know as their signature in a come-from-behind win against Sheffield United. For the second league game in a row,
VAR played a central role in the story line early in the game. This
time, a challenge at the edge of the box was adjudged to be a foul
and a free kick before VAR intervened to determine the challenge
was just within the boundary of the box, and thus a penalty.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was again left frustrated with the
referee’s decision.

“The penalty was not even a foul,” said Klopp when asked about
the incident. “During a season there are so many different periods,
we have had an injustice and we have had to go again.”

Klopp continued on about Fabinho’s challenge on Oliver
McBurnie.

“The penalty conceded was clear it was a challenge to win the
ball. We are on the wrong end of another decision, but luckily we
could sort that tonight, so maybe I should not talk too much about
that.”

Klopp is walking that fine line of what is ok and not to say
about refereeing before getting hit with a fine. After having
several controversial decisions go against Liverpool in the span of
a week, he’s probably ready to take the fine to make his point.
While the foul itself is borderline, and one one seen given, the
consitency in decisions given is just mind boggling. It only takes
a look at seeing Harry Maguire

As for the rest of the game, Klopp was happy with how his team
responded to adversity.

“I am only interested in the mentality in our changing room and
I see hunger, resilience, character to dig in and win if you are
not playing at your best. We showed we can dig in and see results
out.”

While Liverpool ultimately saw the game off after goals from
Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota, Klopp mentioned
the difficulty the team had dealing with the aerial prowess of
McBurnie.

“McBurnie was very good in the air so it was hard for the lads
at the back but they coped and worked it out better in the second
half. We should have killed the game off with another goal or
two.”

Klopp also gave some praise to his managerial compatriot, Chris
Wilder, with how his Sheffield United team play.

“[Y]ou always have to work hard against Sheffield United. It’s
hard to take for Chris Wilder. They never give up, I respect that
so much. They go and go and go. Chris is doing a wonderful
job.”