Furious Klopp lambastes officials after controversial penalties
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp couldn't mask his frustration following a wild encounter Sunday at Anfield that resulted in a 2-2 draw after Tottenham was awarded a pair of late penalties.
After Victor Wanyama's thunderous strike cancelled out Mohamed Salah's first-half opener, Harry Kane had a chance to give the visitors the lead after drawing a penalty with three minutes remaining. Kane - who appeared to be offside before Loris Karius brought him down in the area - produced a weak effort the Liverpool goalkeeper saved with ease.
Salah appeared to deliver the winning strike moments later until referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot, again, after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled Erik Lamela during a clearance attempt. Replays showed the Dutch defender make contact with the Tottenham midfielder, who appeared to be offside before going down with very little contact. Kane's successful effort from the spot was followed by the final whistle as Liverpool players crowded around Moss' officiating staff to dispute the second penalty decision, which was ultimately made by the linesman.
"It was clear two sides high quality both wanted to win desperately, but the result was massively influenced by linesman decisions," Klopp said, according to BBC Sport, "We have to take it, that's how it is."
When asked about the sequence of events, Klopp accused Moss of intentionally influencing the outcome of the match: "Did you ever hear? I am not allowed to go in their room until half an hour after. It was clear offside, unbelievable, I don't know what they were discussing.
"Yes, Virgil van Dijk touches him, but we all know Lamela wants the touch and we all know there were some hard fouls in the first half and we didn't get any fouls. That was the level for the game today, but then a situation in the last minute like that? Wow. He wanted to be middle of interest and he is."
The outcome didn't result in any movement in the table for either club, as Liverpool continues to occupy third place with 51 points, while Spurs sit fifth with 49 points.