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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blasts Manchester United red card story as ‘fake news’
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed media reports that he thought Manchester United should have received more red cards against Liverpool last weekend at Old Trafford as “fake news.”
According to the Athletic and Daily Mail, Klopp believed referee Anthony Taylor should have sent five players off but did not want to further embarrass United, who lost 5-0 on Sunday.
Taylor booked Paul Pogba for a second-half challenge on Naby Keita but later dismissed the France midfielder after a VAR review as Liverpool humiliated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
The Athletic said “sources close to the Liverpool bench” thought Manchester-born Taylor did not send off more United players because he “took pity” on them.
However, Klopp was enraged by the reports during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“I didn’t think a second about it – not a second,” the Liverpool boss said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Brighton at Anfield.
“The Athletic said ‘people close to the staff’, which I always think is a dangerous saying. You cannot do these kind of things. It’s just not right – it’s a lie.”
In addition to the Pogba dismissal, the Mail identified four potential red card incidents involving Fred, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Harry Maguire, and said Liverpool questioned Taylor’s impartiality.
“We spoke about Ronaldo’s situation and my view was it could be a red card. When I saw it back, he gets the ball, it’s a dark yellow, completely fine,” said Klopp.
“But we never spoke about that. Why would you make a story like that?
“You have to be serious in these things – all of you (journalists). You cannot do these things just to sell a few lines.
“These are real fake news, not what (Donald) Trump was talking about.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also expressed his displeasure with what he called “blatant lies” in the media after it was reported that Pogba refused to speak with him and suspended contract talks following the Liverpool debacle.
On social media, Pogba slammed the rumors as “fake news.”
Unbeaten Liverpool enters their match against fifth-placed Brighton second in the table with six wins from nine games, one point behind leaders Chelsea.
Despite leaving Old Trafford on a stretcher, Guinea midfielder Keita is fit, but Klopp will be without injured Fabinho and James Milner.
Thiago Alcantara of Spain has returned to training after a calf injury but is unlikely to play at Anfield.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blasts Manchester United red card story as ‘fake news’
