Jurgen Klopp has admitted he didn’t agree with referee John Brooks’ decision to disallow Cody Gakpo’s goal in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The Reds were trailing when the forward had appeared to equalise, tapping home after Ibrahima Konate’s shot from Virgil van Dijk’s cutback had been blocked on the line. However, the Dutch defender had been in an offside position when the ball fell to him via a Villa defender.
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Klopp revealed he had spoken to Brooks, who disallowed the goal after viewing the VAR monitors, about his decision as he shared the official’s explanation for ruling Gakpo’s strike out.
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“I asked the ref why the offside goal was offside, because offside situations should be clear but he explained it to me,” Klopp said. “He said it was a subjective decision.
“He thinks it is a not deliberate action from the defender, but I think it is. And I think the VAR wasn’t sure. So he maybe thought it’s possible.
“In the end it’s a subjective decision. You can’t argue with that. He made it and that’s it.”
While Brooks checked the VAR monitors to disallow Gakpo’s goal, he hadn’t earlier in the game after booking Tyrone Mings for a chest-high tackle on the Dutchman. The England international was booked for his efforts, with it debatable where he should have instead been dismissed.
Klopp didn’t share whether he thought the defender should have been sent off or not, but he admitted his surprise that the VAR monitor hadn’t been checked on that occasion.
“I was (surprised). I am not sure if you saw Cody, but he looks sponsored by a very famous brand (Adidas),” Klopp joked, in reference to one of his own sponsors. “Three massive (marks). I didn’t see it back.
“Was it a red card from your point of view? That is the question, I cannot answer that question.
“I was probably too far away from that. I saw Cody only later when he showed it to me. You cannot do that without making a proper foul.”
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