"Only a ban will work" - Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp slammed for his 'childish behavior'
Chris Sutton believes Jurgen Klopp should be banned for his antics on the touchline in Liverpool's dramatic 4-3 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
The German angrily celebrated Diogo Jota's stoppage-time winner in front of the fourth official and slammed referee Paul Tierney after the game, indicating that the Premier League referee has an agenda against Liverpool. Speaking to Daily Mail, as cited by Anfield Watch's Twitter account, Sutton confessed that while he likes Klopp's personality and energy on the touchline, the FA need to take action against him for his 'childish' antics.
"I like Jurgen Klopp’s passion. His air punching. His infectious smile. It’s ‘cool’, as he would say. But I don’t like this childish side to him. The one that celebrates Liverpool’s late winner by charging at fourth official John Brooks. The one that suggests referee Paul Tierney is biased. The one that intimidates assistant referee Gary Beswick. It’s groundhog day.
"Yet again we’re talking about Klopp’s bad behavior and the foul example he is setting for the millions of influential fans watching from home. This goes all the way down to grassroots, where referees who give up their Saturdays and Sundays for little in return are abused for their trouble.
"Profiles don’t get much bigger than Klopp’s and you hope he will have cringed when watching back the footage of him flying towards Brooks and pulling his hamstring. The Football Association need to get a grip on all this. A slap on the wrist will not do. A fine isn't enough of a deterrent. Only a ban will work."
ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT
Klopp admitted after the game that he went over the top with his celebration and admitted that he probably wouldn't do it again. Tempers flaring during a game of football is nothing we haven't seen before, but it's not hard to see where Chris Sutton is coming from.
As Liverpool fans, Klopp's passion is something we've grown to love over the years and is something that perfectly resonates with the Anfield faithful. However, it's understandable if fans of other clubs or pundits get irked by his antics, which is exactly why Sutton believes the German needs to be sanctioned by the FA.