Manager Jurgen Klopp wants the English Football Association (FA) to clarify what they will do with the money before he pays the nearly $100,000 fine imposed in the recent disciplinary action.
On May 18th, the FA handed Klopp a two-match touchline ban and a nearly $100,000 (£75,000) fine for comments targeting referee Paul Tierney after Liverpool's 4-3 victory over Tottenham at Anfield on April 30th. At the time, the German manager claimed Tierney was biased and unfairly treated Liverpool.
On May 19th, at a press conference ahead of the Premier League match against Aston Villa in round 37, Klopp admitted he wasn't surprised by the fine but would talk to the FA about the purpose of the money. "I want to know where that money is going," he said. "I'm willing to pay the fine if there's a legitimate reason. But if the FA keeps the money, then we have to talk again."
Klopp at Liverpool's training ground on May 19th. Photo: Liverpool FC
According to the British newspaper Sunsport , the FA declined to comment on Klopp's statement, but the non-profit organization typically reinvests fines back into football.
According to the disciplinary announcement on May 18th, Klopp was only banned from managing the match against Aston Villa, and the remaining match was a suspended sentence until the end of the 2023-2024 season, provided he does not repeat the offense. Therefore, the 55-year-old coach will return for the final Premier League match against Southampton on May 28th. Liverpool currently sit fifth with 55 points, one point behind Man Utd and four points behind Newcastle.
Klopp admitted he had considered a harsher penalty and would watch the Aston Villa game from the stands, communicating with his coaching staff by phone. He also joked that he might shout from the stands to directly instruct his players. "Nobody would be shouting like me if Liverpool weren't going to retreat into defense in the 70th minute or something like that," Klopp said. "I'm sitting far away, but if the game isn't going well, I can still do something. At least my voice is okay."
Klopp will be allowed onto the Anfield pitch after the match, where at least four Liverpool players will play their final home game. Earlier this week, the Merseyside club announced that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino will leave the club when their contracts expire in June 2023.
Klopp hailed these four players as Liverpool legends, adding: "We love them, but in professional football, nothing lasts forever. There are always moments like that, and they are beautiful moments. One chapter will close and we will begin to write a new one. We will not forget them and I will be forever grateful to them."
Klopp confirmed that Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay, Naby Keita, and Darwin Nunez are out due to injury, while Roberto Firmino is available to play. He also wants to rest his two reserve goalkeepers, Adrian and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Hong Duy
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