Jurgen Klopp admitted some of his Liverpool team-mates expected him to receive a longer than one-game touchline ban following his FA discipline – and joked his voice would still reach the players even if watching he comes from the stands.
The German manager was handed a ban for Saturday’s game with Aston Villa after comments he made about referee Paul Tierney during last month’s 4-3 win over Tottenham, in which he said the official “there is something against us”.
Klopp was also fined £75,000, with an additional one-game touchline ban suspended until the end of next season on condition he does not commit any further offences.
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Klopp discussed his dispute with referee Paul Tierney and assistant John Brooks, following their 4-3 thriller against Tottenham, in which Liverpool took all three points.
The Liverpool boss is already serving a touchline ban this season in November, when he watched from the stands against Southampton after receiving a red card against Manchester City.
Responding to his latest suspension, Klopp said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Aston Villa game: “I expect a penalty for all the things we know and hear.
“It’s okay, I want to know where the money is going, whether it’s going to a good cause. If it does, I’ll be happy to pay it. If not we’ll have to talk again.
Klopp will watch the Aston Villa game from the Anfield stands
“But apart from that, people around me are very negative. They think it will take longer!
“It’s a game, it’s like the Southampton game, it’s the same process. I can watch the game from a better position and be in touch with my coaches.”
Klopp will watch the Aston Villa game from the stands and will be in touch with the bank via phone to Vitor Matos, one of his backroom staff.
However, the Liverpool manager joked that his voice can reach his players from a great distance if they don’t track back.
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Klopp angrily pressed the fourth official after Diogo Jota’s late winner in the 4-3 win over Tottenham and pulled his hamstring in the process!
Asked what the differences were between managing from the touchline and the stands, Klopp replied: “No one will shout like me if they don’t go back in the 70th minute and these things. I sit far away but if the game doesn’t. well, I can make it happen. At least my voice is good.”
Speaking more seriously, Klopp then said: “Not much. I actually contacted Vito, he had to phone with a headset.
“We can talk about everything, replacements for these things. [Assistant manager] It’s Pep [Ljinders] is an amazing coach and he will go out there.
“I say from one point of view, it is a better position. In the Southampton game, it will be more helpful. I will sit next to our analysts, they get a little support from me.”
Klopp on the four exits: ‘They are the legends of Liverpool’
Liverpool have confirmed that James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all leave the club this summer
Klopp was also allowed on the Anfield pitch after the game, where Liverpool will say goodbye to four players after taking part in their last home game for the club.
The Merseyside club announced this week that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita will join Roberto Firmino in leaving the club at the end of their contracts.
“This game is difficult for different reasons,” added Klopp. “We talked to the guys this week about it. It’s very important for us and very emotional. We’re really saying goodbye to – my point of view – four legends of Liverpool. Because two of them were here when I come on, Milly and Bobby – nothing good in the past few years happens without them.
Firmino (right) will play his last game at Anfield
“Naby and Ox came in, I’m sure Ox was just unlucky with injuries and bad moments. I remember the game against Roma when he was badly injured, I didn’t know how to deal with it because he couldn’t be replaced that. At the time, he was very good. That was very difficult but also a wonderful person, and support that was important for the team at that time.
“When people talk about Naby, it’s like a lot of injuries. If you look back at the important games, you can see how often he played and performed in the most important games. All that four won almost every available trophy.
“We love them, but this is professional football and nothing is forever and forever. There are always moments, these are good moments. A chapter is closed and we start writing a new one. We don’t they will be forgotten and I will be eternally grateful to them.”
