Klopp: 'My statement calling for a replay was misinterpreted'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his statements about demanding a replay of the Tottenham match were misinterpreted and that Liverpool have put the VAR errors behind them.

At the press conference ahead of the Europa League Group E second-round match against Union SG, Klopp asserted that he was unconcerned about the recorded conversation between the referees. He stated that the only way to rectify the decision to disallow Luiz Diaz's legitimate goal was to have Liverpool and Tottenham replay their Premier League matchday seven game.

This statement from the German coach immediately attracted attention and sparked a major controversy. Former defender Gary Neville mocked Klopp, while the English media viewed a replay, if it occurred, as it would set a bad precedent, as other Premier League clubs would likely request similar replays when faced with unfavorable referee decisions. The English media also recalled Liverpool's experience earlier this year when VAR, lacking the correct angle, disallowed a valid equalizer for Wolves in their 2-2 draw in the FA Cup third round.

At the post-match press conference after the Union SG game, Klopp suggested his comments were misinterpreted. "I knew it would be difficult when I spoke about the Tottenham game yesterday," the German coach stated. "And the reactions that followed showed me what this world is like. I think everyone here heard what I said, but they understood something else."

Klopp applauds the fans at Anfield after the 2-0 victory over Union SG in the second matchday of Group E of the Europa League on October 5th. Photo: liverpoolfc.com — Klopp applauds the fans at Anfield after the 2-0 victory over Union SG in the second matchday of Group E of the Europa League on October 5th. Photo: *liverpoolfc.com*

Klopp emphasized that the entire Liverpool team had put aside the VAR errors in the defeat against Tottenham and no longer wanted to talk about the issue. He said: "If yesterday's statements made people think I was still bitter about the Tottenham game, that's not the case at all. We've moved on. We're not children. The team only had a few questions to answer and we've done that."

At Anfield yesterday, Liverpool dominated possession with 74%, taking 19 shots with 9 on target – compared to Union SG's 6 and 2 respectively. However, the "Reds" squandered their chances and only scored two goals at the end of each half, thanks to a rebound from Ryan Gravenberch and a diagonal shot from Diogo Jota.

According to Klopp, Liverpool didn't play well in the first half and needed to capitalize on opportunities to win by a larger margin, but he was satisfied with the important three points. The 56-year-old coach viewed the Europa League group stage matches as an opportunity to rotate his squad, making nine changes compared to the starting lineup against Tottenham, including giving opportunities to young and reserve players such as Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo, and Harvey Elliott.

Meanwhile, Gravenberch was delighted to score his first goal for Liverpool and received a standing ovation from the Anfield fans as he left the pitch in the 79th minute to make way for Dominik Szoboszlai. When asked what had changed at Liverpool, the Dutch midfielder replied: "I think it's the playing time. When you're on the pitch, you feel more confident. Liverpool have a strong squad with many promising young players. I like that. I think Liverpool have done very well to buy such good players."

Hong Duy

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