Klopp says Liverpool are over VAR controversy in Spurs tie
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on Thursday, after their 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, that his side have put last weekend’s controversial defeat to Tottenham Hotspur behind them.
Klopp, who initially called for a rematch of the game that was marred by a bizarre VAR controversy, reiterated that his words were misconstrued and that he and his players have moved past the incident.
“I knew that it would be difficult when yesterday I spoke about the other game against Spurs,” the German manager said. “I knew and you proved me again.
“Everybody, just how the world is. I think everybody who was here heard what I said. But everybody understood obviously something else. It’s okay.
“But if I made the impression yesterday that I was still in the game against Tottenham, I was not at all. That’s long ago. We are over that. That’s fine. And Diogo [Jota] is over that as well. And Joel [Matip] could have played tonight because he’s over it as well.
“So that’s all fine. We are no children or whatever. We just had a few questions to answer and did that and that’s it.”
The Reds lost 2-1 to Spurs last Saturday following a late own goal by Cameroon defender Joel Matip, but they should have been one goal ahead in the first half after a legitimate goal by Luis Diaz was wrongly ruled offside by VAR.
Klopp’s side also ended the game with nine men, with Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota given their matching orders, but many believed that the Portuguese forward was harshly sent off with the Premier League panel also backing the claim.
English referee Darren England, who was in charge of VAR for the tie, has subsequently been taken off any Liverpool games this season after his negligent act cost them at least a point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Liverpool have the opportunity to get back to winning ways in the league when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium this Sunday.
They currently sit atop Group E in the Europa League with two wins from two games and a first half strike from Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and a late effort from Jota helped them secure the win at Anfield on Thursday.
