Jurgen Klopp reveals what the referee told him about Cody Gakpo’s disallowed goal

There was a lot of confusion as to why Cody Gakpo’s goal was clearly offside and Jurgen Klopp asked the referee for clarification.

The debate over the decision on Gakpo’s goal lasted until the next day after the Dutchman’s attempt was ultimately ruled void after consultation with VAR.

The decision was initially ruled an offside decision as the Premier League revealed Ezri Konsa’s throw-in was a ‘distraction’ and ‘not intentional play’.

This view is not shared by Klopp or many others and the manager sought out the referee after the final whistle as it was a ‘deliberate action’ by Konsa from his position in the stands .

“I asked the referee why the offside goal was an offside goal because offside situations should be obvious,” Klopp told reporters at Anfield.

The question I have for the ref (or anyone else who says Cody’s goal was rightly ruled out) is if you don’t think Konsa played the ball on purpose then what what do you think he did after doing that with his left leg? pic.twitter.com/laIF3gLqNJ

— Simon (@bitginger) May 20, 2023

“He explained it to me. He said, ‘It’s a subjective decision.’ He thinks it’s not a deliberate action by the defender, I think so.

“I think VAR wasn’t sure, so maybe he thought it was possible, but in the end it was subjective decisions – what can you say against that? He did and that’s all.”

This is another example of the lack of clarity in the situation when it comes to offside decisions and no doubt another group of officials could have seen things differently. Konsa appeared to be making a concerted effort to slow down and move his back leg after Luis Diaz headed the ball back into the center of the box, sending the ball towards Virgil van Dijk.

This is an example where it would be worth releasing the audio between the referee and the VAR, especially after another frustrating performance from a referee.

Klopp’s position in the stands – due to the touchline suspension – ensured that he was not involved in any of the puzzling decisions.

This included Tyrone Mings’ yellow card challenge, which saw Gakpo ‘branded’ with studs on his chest – the VAR monitor was never consulted.

“It looks like he’s sponsored by a brand, three huge [cuts],” Klopp said of Gakpo’s chest, but luckily he was able to see the 90 minutes – just without a goal to his name!

Also.. 

According to Man United Legend Gary Neville: Only Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have proven they can challenge Man City

Gary Neville believes Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are the team best placed to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the near future.

Gary Neville believes Liverpool will continue to be the team most likely to end Manchester City’s continued dominance in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday confirmed City’s fifth Premier League title in six years.

The FA Cup and Champions League could still follow, with Neville believing it would be “a miracle” if Pep Guardiola’s side fail to complete the treble next month.

Manchester United and Inter Milan remain the only stumbling blocks between City achieving what would be only the second treble in Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League history, but that about next season and the task at hand, the team identify who is best equipped to stop City’s victory? Domestic machine? “You have to have a great manager and a great group of players to do what City have done and other clubs have to strive to achieve that,” Neville said.

“Right now Liverpool are the only team that have proven over the last five or six years that they can challenge City.”

“Arsenal have just edged out City this year, but the only team I can say at the moment that have proven they can come close to Pep Guardiola’s City is Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.”

“I know they are well below those standards this season, but they can come back to those standards next season because they have already proven they can do it.”

Although City’s Premier League wins have now become the norm, a grateful Neville has hailed a significant change in City’s approach this season following the signing of striker Erling Haaland last summer.

“It’s my favorite Pep Guardiola team and the one I would love to play against,” Neville said. “I like this Pep Guardiola team more than the other Pep Guardiola teams.

“The last ten games have probably been the best I’ve seen with Man City playing the way I love football.”

“I like a solid back four. I like a solid back four – the one that doesn’t give you a chance. The midfield is exceptional.” But I like the imperfection Haaland brings, the idea that not everything is perfect. I like that they can go long, cross from afar.

Gary Neville believes newly confirmed champions Manchester City aren’t perfect which makes them all the more dangerous

“I enjoyed watching this Manchester City team more than in previous seasons or when Pep Guardiola was at Barcelona because I felt he was a repetitive and technical machine.

“This one has power, strength and on set pieces they have a monster team.

“This is a very different team physically from Pep Guardiola. I like that they aren’t as perfect with the ball as they used to be, but I think that makes them more dangerous.

“I don’t think they could achieve what they are achieving if they didn’t have that strength, that physique and that Haaland presence.”

“Football is not so perfect technically, but I think it’s more entertaining.”

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