Paul Tierney vs. Jurgen Klopp’s history, 8 flashpoints behind the dispute

Jurgen Klopp Jurgen Klopp clashed again with referee Paul Tierney during Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the latest in a series of incidents between the two. again with referee Paul Tierney during Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the latest in a series of incidents between the two.

The Liverpool manager showed his frustration with the referee after the game, telling Sky Sports: “I really don’t know what this man has against us” when speaking of Tierney.

There has been no shortage of drama between the two men in recent years, with Klopp expressing his displeasure with the official on several occasions.

Born in Wigan, Tierney has officiated in 25 Liverpool games, the first of which was a 0-0 draw with Plymouth in the third round of the FA Cup in 2017. Here we take a look at some of the biggest altercations between Klopp and Tierney following the latest controversy in Sunday’s seven-goal thriller.

December 2017 – Handball?

Klopp’s first meeting with Tierney appears to have been in 2017, when Liverpool were denied a late winner in a 0-0 draw with West Brom at Anfield.

Substitute Dominic Solanke had the ball over the line in the closing minutes but was ruled out for a handball he described as “unlucky”.

The manager faced Tierney and his team at the full-time whistle, the first time he has refereed Liverpool in the Premier League.

July 2020 – “Get over it”

Having already been crowned record-breaking champions, Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa in 2020 was not without controversy. Tierney responded to an angry Klopp by telling the manager to ‘get over it’ after he failed to award a free kick for a foul on Gini Wijnaldum.

The Liverpool Echo reported that referee Klopp said: “I missed it, Jurgen. I’m like the players, I’m going to make mistakes. I missed it. Move on.”

December 2020 – A flagrant missed penalty

Controversy reigned over Liverpool’s goalless draw with Newcastle at the end of 2020 when Sadio Mane was brought down by Magpies goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Mane was denied a clear goal and despite the intervention of Darlow, the Reds opted not to go to the ground and were not awarded the deserved penalty.

The referee that day? Keep some, of course.

January 2021 – “Strange, very strange”

The manager isn’t the only person to have criticized Tierney’s decision-making process in a match against Liverpool. Captain Jordan Henderson was also unhappy with a “strange” phone call against Man United.

The referee blew his whistle prematurely before half-time during a goalless draw at Anfield in January 2021, despite Sadio Mane scoring on goal. You remember ?

Sadio Mane in goal against Man United. The referee blows early at halftime.

Guess what ref it was. Yes, Paul Tierney. pic.twitter.com/BwurimJoNj

— This is Anfield (@thisisanfield) 1 May 2023

“We weren’t happy about it, as you can imagine,” Henderson told Sky Sports after the game.

“Strange, very strange. I think he’s gone through the goal if [the whistle] doesn’t blow.”

December 2021 – “I have no problems with referees, only with you”

Probably the most famous example also came against opponents on Sunday.

“I have no problems with referees, just you,” Klopp told Tierney after a series of fouls in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2021. Andy Robertson was sent off in north London for a bad challenge on Emerson Royal, but both the referee and VAR missed an equally dangerous tackle by Harry Kane at left-back.

The referee also ruled against awarding Liverpool a penalty for a foul on Diogo Jota, prompting the German to tell Tierney ‘you’ve never played football’ in a post-match tirade.

“It should have been a penalty.” ?

Dermot Gallagher says referee should have been sent to monitor when Rodri should have handballed against Everton #RefWatch pic.twitter.com/Tqzlx9hAoT

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 28, 2022

Two months later, Tierney and his VAR failed to call a clear handball from Rodri in his own penalty area as Man City held on for a 1-0 win over Everton.

City won the title by one point over Liverpool. March 2023 – A victory over Wolves and the referee

Tierney has been the subject of much criticism from fans on social media after another questionable performance at home against Wolves earlier this season.

It wasn’t enough to prevent the Reds from keeping a clean sheet on their way to a 2-0 win for the fourth straight Premier League campaign, but the referee’s performance gave fans plenty to talk about after the game.

April 2023 – Yellow card for Robertson despite being elbowed by the linesman

In one of the most controversial refereeing moments in Premier League history, linesman Constantine Hatzidakis elbowed Robertson away at half-time in last month’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Tierney responded by booking the Scotland captain for his angry protests after the incident, with the linesman eventually avoiding punishment from the FA.

It emerged that Tierney had the authority to remove Hatzidakis from his duties immediately after the incident, but chose not to. April 2023 – “What he told me is not good”

Finally, Sunday’s visit to Tottenham saw the latest in a long series of disagreements between Klopp and Tierney.

The boss questioned the referee again after receiving comments as he received a yellow card after the game.

“What [Tierney] said to me when he gave me the yellow card is not right,” said Klopp, before revealing that it was “not possible” to reveal the extent of those words.