myFor Jürgen Klopp it was the first game after the uproar over FIFA's blue card plans, and for the Liverpool FC coach it was confirmation of his defensive stance in the face of innovation. “Imagine if the referee had had the blue card available to him,” he said after the 3-1 win against Burnley FC, “it would have been the Wild West.”
What the 56-year-old was referring to: Five players and both coaches, plus Klopp Burnley's Vincent Kompany, saw the yellow card. “It was emotional,” Klopp said. “I have no idea why Vincent Kompany got the yellow card. I lost control in a situation, so okay, show me the yellow card, as long as I don't see a blue card and have to sit somewhere for ten minutes.”
“It was really difficult”
The innovation would allow this, for example, in the case of complaints or tactical fouls. Klopp was reprimanded after complaining about an alleged foul on goalscorer Diogo Jota in the rival area. He had already stated before the match that he would reject the blue card.
League leaders Liverpool are two points ahead of defending champions Manchester City in the Premier League, who won 2-0 at Everton FC thanks to two goals from exceptional striker Erling Haaland. “It was really tough,” Klopp said of the 16th win in the 24th game of the season, “but the boys fought and got three points.”
Meanwhile, English soccer champion Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola criticized his players' attitude despite their sixth consecutive victory. “In the first half our body language was bad, we complained all the time,” said the former Bayern coach after the Citizens' 2-0 victory against Everton FC on Saturday: “That's not possible.”
“If you want to give your best, you have to act like this,” said Guardiola: “In the second half we were much more positive.” Star striker Erling Haaland only later achieved runners-up in the Premier League with two goals from fear of losing a point exchanged. Previously, City had long struggled against the low-lying “Toffees”.
“Yes, Erling is back.”
Former Dortmund player Haaland topped the list of top scorers with 15 and 16 goals this season, ahead of Mohamed Salah of league leaders Liverpool FC (14), who beat Burnley FC 3-1. Haaland has scored 52 goals in his first 50 league games in which the 23-year-old started.
There was recognition from Guardiola: “Yes, Erling is back,” the coach said with a smile: “His shots are incredible.” Haaland recently went 77 days without scoring due to injury. Guardiola then highlighted the connection with Kevin De Bruyne, who assisted on the second goal: “They had a natural connection from day one, that's something really special.”