Alan Shearer delivered a scathing verdict of Jurgen Klopp’s post-match manner after his Liverpool side squandered a potential Merseyside derby victory over Everton by giving away a late penalty.
Klopp was fuming at the final whistle and had an irate discussion with referee Craig Pawson out on the pitch, before taking his anger indoors and sparking a debate with broadcaster Patrick Davison during a Sky Sports interview.
The German boss was adamant his side did enough to win and bemoaned Everton’s lack of participation in the game and the way the referee’s decision played straight into their hands, but Shearer was having none of it.
Alan Shearer slammed Jurgen Klopp for the manner of his reaction after the Merseyside derby
‘It’s rubbish,’ the Newcastle icon said on Match of the Day 2.
‘Everyone knew before that game how Everton would play, they had a game plan to sit deep and defend. It’s up to Liverpool to try and get past that and they couldn’t.
‘We’ve heard Klopp come on and say it was a terrible decision and there’s only one team were going to win it, well have a look at your own team selection.
‘You’ve left a guy out who scored a hat-trick in midweek [Philippe Coutinho] and as a centre forward I know that the time to be left out is when you’re not scoring goals you can’t wait to get out on to the pitch when you’re a forward and you’re scoring goals,’ Shearer added.
Klopp was caught up in an argument with Sky Sports following the Merseyside derby
The German was also furious with referee Craig Pawson at the final whistle at Anfield
Klopp was confident his side deserved derby victory, despite several questionable team selections before kick-off.
Brazil duo Coutinho and Roberto Firmino – one half of Liverpool’s so named ‘Fab Four’ – were left on the bench while young and rarely tested forward Dominic Solanke spearheaded the front line.
Klopp’s decision to blame influencing factors after making such distinct team alterations didn’t sit well with Shearer.
Klopp maintained Dejan Lovren was innocent though Shearer branded it ‘stupid defending’
‘Instead of putting the guy in who’s still learning his trade (Solanke) in such an important game play your big names,’ he said.
‘So instead of blaming the referee blame yourself and blame your players for stupid defending and not going 2-0 up when Mane goes through,’ Shearer added.