Jurgen Klopp wasn’t happy with the linesman for repeatedly failing to raise the offside flag during Liverpool’s win over Arsenal last night.
Klopp was speaking to BBC Sport (3mins 57secs) after the game. The Liverpool manager said his analysts had told him that many offsides weren’t even flagged at all.
“I really think, actually we know because our analyst told us already, so many more situations were offside and they just wait and then we win the ball,” said Klopp.
“But it still feels like ‘what, how can they be there?’. It changes everything.”
It isn’t the first time Klopp has chosen to speak out about this. After Liverpool beat Burnley 1-0 in February, the manager also raised this issue.
Defending the high line
Liverpool’s high defensive line is something of a controversial topic. Although it has proved to be effective time and time again, it is still highlighted as an area of weakness in the Liverpool team.
In part, that’s because of the fourth official’s remit to keep the flag down until the attack has played out.
This at times makes it look like Liverpool are struggling to cope defensively, when actually they’re doing their job very well. Good looking attacks not flagged as offside early on, especially away from home, can also have a galvanising effect on the crowd.
This often makes it look like Liverpool are under more pressure than they actually are. Klopp is in no doubt that his team need more protection from the officials in this regard.
“We have to put the flag up when there is offside because we saw it now, four or five situations more especially first half. The linesman our right side, unbelievable,” continued the 54-year-old.
“It always looks like ‘what do we have to change’ but it’s not the ref’s job to tell us to drop deeper or we don’t have to do it. That’s really not cool.”
Jurgen’s frustration is understandable. Liverpool have chosen to utilise Virgil Van Dijk’s organisation skills and count on Alisson Becker’s supreme ability in one-on-one situations if anything does slip through the net.
They are doing their job exceptionally well. Two goals conceded in nine Premier League games is an excellent record. But it’s time that the officials did theirs.
Ultimately, it was inconsequential as Liverpool ran out comfortable winners. But I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we hear Klopp railing against this type of situation.
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