Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said people around him were expecting him to suffer a harsher punishment, beyond a two-match ban, for criticizing the referee after his team’s thrilling 4-3 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The German coach will miss two matches, starting from Saturday’s meeting against Aston Villa, and he will be fined 75,000 pounds (94,657.50 dollars) for accusing referee Paul Tierney of having something in himself (against Liverpool).
“I was expecting a penalty,” Klopp told reporters before Liverpool’s home game against Aston Villa. It’s okay, I would like to know where the money will go? If it’s for a good purpose, I’m happy to pay it. If the FA keeps it, we will have to talk again.”
“People thought it would be longer,” he said. I can watch the game from a better position and I will be in touch with my coaching staff.”
Liverpool ranks fifth in the standings with 65 points, one point behind Manchester United (fourth), who has a match in hand.
The club, coming from Merseyside, is looking forward to extending its unbeaten streak to 8 matches, and continuing its pursuit of qualifying for the Champions League when it faces Aston Villa.
Coach Klopp’s team received a boost with the return of striker Roberto Firmino to compete for participation from the start, after recovering from a muscle injury.
Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the team after their contracts expire at the end of the season.
This quartet was part of the team that won the Champions League in 2019, and helped the club win its first Premier League title in 30 years in the 2019-2020 season.
Klopp concluded his statement by saying, “This match will be very difficult for various reasons. We are saying goodbye, in my view, to 4 Liverpool legends. Two of them were here when I arrived (to coach the club) Millie and Bobby, and all the good things that happened would not have happened without them.
