Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted the officials made ‘amazing’ calls during his side’s draw against Jurgen Klopp’s men, but believes they were the better team on the day.
Loris Karius was judged to have taken out Harry Kane for a penalty with five minutes to go, with the score level at 1-1. Replays showed their was minimal contact between the two as arguments continued on the pitch. The German then went on to make a save to deny Kane from the spot.
Mohamed Salah came forward to score a sensational goal in injury time, beating four defenders and finishing past Lloris for an incredible solo goal to make it 2-1 to the Reds.
However the action wasn’t over with a bizarre penalty being awarded for a foul by Virgil Van Dijk on Mousa Dembele – with the linesman awarding the spot kick after the referee had waved play on. Kane dispatched the penalty this time with the final kick of the game. The game ended 2-2 in an ultimately frustrating night for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
When asked what he said to Moss and his assistant, Pochettino said: “I congratulated the referee.
“To show that sort of character. It was difficult to know at the time if they were right, but in the dressing room I confirmed that they were right in every single decision.
“Sometimes we complain about them – I don’t – as I decided a long time ago to stop complaining. It’s important to recognise when they are right because it’s a very difficult job for them.
“If Dejan Lovren doesn’t touch the ball, he’s offside, but it’s clear that he touched the ball, so he’s onside.
“The second one is a clear foul by Virgil van Dijk – it’s an amazing decision as the referee and the assistant are so focused. I have to congratulate them as it’s a very difficult decision.
“I was calm, because I think the team plays so well. The feeling is we dropped two points. We were much, much, much better than Liverpool. They were lucky.
“Both were a penalty and nothing to say, it is not controversial – it is nothing.
“Sometimes people complain about the referee, but when they are right it is good to tell everyone.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had a very different view to that of the Argentine, saying that referee Jonathan Moss wanted to be the ‘centre of attention’ at Anfield on Sunday.
“It was clear offside [for the first penalty], unbelievable, I don’t know what they were discussing,” Klopp said after the game.
“Yes, Virgil van Dijk touches him, but we all know Lamela wants the touch and we all know they were so many hard fouls in the first half and yet we didn’t get any fouls.
“That was the level for the game today, but then a situation in the last minute like that? Wow. He wanted to be the middle of interest today and he is.”
