Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp felt his team had been denied a clear penalty in their Premier League match against Southampton on Monday and said the other teams would have had one.
As the Reds searched for an equalizing goal in the second half, Jorginho Wijnaldum fired a shot from the hand of Jack Stevens, while striker Sadio Mane fell under challenge from Kyle Walker Peters.
Danny’s goal was accomplished in the second minute It ended up enough for the Saints to earn all three points, and leaders Liverpool could now beat second-placed Manchester United and fifth-place Manchester City if they win their matches in hand.
“[The handball] “It looked like a clear penalty,” Klopp said. He turned to the fourth referee and said, “We have already checked, no penalty.”
“What [referee] Andre Mariner did with Sadio Mane tonight, I’m not sure that’s okay, to be honest. ”
Klopp added: “I heard now that Manchester United took more penalties in two years than in five and a half years. I have no idea if this was my fault, or how that could happen.”
“But this is not an excuse for performance. We cannot change it, we have to respect decisions. But we can change our performance. This is our focus now.”
| 32 | Manchester United |
| 24 | Leicester |
| 18 | City of Manchester |
| 17 | Liverpool |
| Premier League matches only |
Klopp was frustrated by his team’s lack of supremacy after the early goal of former Reds striker Injaz – a brilliant ball on goalkeeper Allison after Trent Alexander-Arnold failed to handle a free kick from James Ward Prause.
The director felt that at least one penalty kick should have been taken from his side.
The German told Sky Sports: “The best situation we went through was with Sadio holding the ball at his feet.
“For anyone to say they are a diver is the biggest joke in the world. He tries to stay on his feet. He’s had two cases where the other teams get a penalty kick because of that.”
“Handball – I don’t know who will explain that to me. In these situations we were unfortunate.”
Liverpool face rising club Manchester United in their next league match on Sunday 17 January. United will be ahead of Anfield by then if they are not defeated at Burnley on January 12th.
Where did the goals go?
Liverpool have now failed to score in 258 minutes of league matches – and Klopp’s side were able to just one shot on target at St. Mary’s.
The defending champion scored in one of 41 goals against West Bromicino, Newcastle and Southampton.
“These are our problems,” Klopp said. Yes, we are concerned about that, but football problems that you solve with football and that’s what we are working on.
“We know about the situation. We are not silly and we have to show a reaction – 100%.”
“I’m not crying – it’s the wind!”
Southampton coach Ralph Hessenhotel was so irritable in the final whistle, sanking his knees on the sideline and celebrating with three points that lifted his team to the top six.
The Austrian has changed club since arriving two years ago and was proud of his “perfect” team night.
“There were tears in my eyes – but from the wind!” He told BBC Sport.
“When you see our men fighting with all they have, it makes me really proud. You need to have a perfect match against Liverpool and I think we did.”
“It was an intense game, and my vote was about to end. The men are tired, you should win against such a team. The men believed in what they were doing.”
“But I’m in the 92nd minute:” Well, it could be our thing. It’s a great evening. “
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