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Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp launched a furious tirade about Liverpool’s match schedule after Pascal Gross’s controversial late penalty salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw for Brighton at Amex Stadium on Saturday.
Klopp’s team took the lead with Diogo Jota’s second-half goal after Brighton’s Neal Maupay missed a penalty in the first half.
But Liverpool were surprised in injury time when Andrew Robertson’s challenge to Danny Welbeck was declared a penalty after Stuart Attwell used VAR to overturn his initial decision.
Gross converted from the point and left Klopp sarcastically applauding the referees at the end of a disappointing week for Liverpool after their shocking Champions League loss at home to Atalanta.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson claimed that Welbeck told him it was not a penalty, but Klopp did not take the bait when asked if he did not agree with the decision.
“You try to create a headline again, at my expense, because that’s the way it is. If I say it wasn’t now … the referee whistled it,” Klopp said in a drastic exchange with a BT Sport interviewer.
“Don’t look like that, you try, always, all the time. Today I say it was a penalty, you are not happy with that answer, so keep your answers to yourself.”
Liverpool returned to the top of the table as a result of their draw, but the champions are just one point ahead of previous leaders Tottenham.
Tottenham would regain pole position if they avoid defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, while the Blues will lead if they win the London derby.
It was one of those days for Liverpool, who also correctly saw the goals canceled by VAR for offside against Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
There was more bad news for Liverpool, devastated by injuries, as James Milner was forced to retire in the second half.
Milner’s injury prompted Klopp’s spiel during his post-match interview, as he repeated his recent complaints about Liverpool’s participation in early Saturday’s game after playing in the Champions League just three days earlier.
– Klopp Hells –
When asked if Milner had a hamstring problem, Klopp took aim at television programmers and Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, who has criticized his counterpart for wanting to allow five substitutions instead of the three current.
“Yes, congratulations. You work for them, right? Hamstrings, surprise and Brighton had injuries, but ask Chris Wilder how we can avoid that,” Klopp said.
“I don’t know how often I have to say it, you chose 1230, not you personally, but you did, we 1230, between now and December and New Years, one more Wednesday.
“I haven’t had a chance with the station, I’m just saying how he is. After Wednesday, Saturday at 12.30 is really dangerous for the players.
“When we had a talk between managers, a week ago, they were 55, if not 60 (percent) for five substitutes. Since then nothing happened.
“Chris Wilder or whoever constantly says I’m selfish. I think all it shows is that he’s selfish.
“I was in a similar situation when I was working in Mainz and it was about staying in the league, but they (Sheffield United) have three substitutes and one point if I’m right.”
It was a rough day for Klopp, who saw Aaron Connolly stumble into Neco Williams in the 20th minute.
Maupay stepped forward to take the penalty, but his side-foot effort deflected despite Alisson Becker diving in the wrong direction.
In the 60th minute, Robertson found Salah and his pass pushed Jota to pierce the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Liverpool were seconds from three points when Robertson went to punt in his own area when Welbeck approached.
Robertson’s foot made contact with Welbeck, but there were few appeals from Brighton before Attwell awarded a contentious penalty after consulting with the pitch monitor.
With Maupay off the field, Gross took it and fired down the middle to save an unexpected point.
