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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Jones

Jurgen Klopp's touchline reaction to Anthony Taylor decisions spoke volumes amid fury

Jurgen Klopp would have known that after the focus on the Liverpool fans before Saturday's clash with Brentford had shifted, as soon as the first whistle blew it was going to be all eyes on him.

And while those fans don't deserve to be criticised for their public outbursts, the Reds manager does.

Klopp is still awaiting the result of the improper conduct charge that the FA slapped on him on Tuesday for his actions and comments both during and following the madcap 4-3 win over Tottenham, with the delay in reaching a decision allowing him to oversee two hard-fought 1-0 wins at home to west London opposition in the space of a week.

The second of those came against Brentford on Saturday, and it was certainly the tougher game of the two. Klopp loved it though.

"I am really happy," he would say after the game, "I have to say I am really happy with this hard-fought 1-0 win.

"The goal was great, the defending was great and in parts the football we played was really, really good."

Maybe only one of those reallys was justified, but we'll forgive Klopp's giddiness. It might be the last time he's on the touchline this season, after all.

The decision on his charge will come in the next week, and he will be found guilty in some fashion or other because that is how these things work. Calls for a lengthy ban began from the moment he spoke about referee Paul Tierney after the Spurs game, and given that he has already served a one-match touchline suspension this season then it could well be that he isn't seen on the sidelines in any of Liverpool's three remaining games this month.

Klopp kept his emotions in check throughout the game (Getty Images)

Klopp had until Friday to respond to the charge, and he certainly seemed to have disciplinary matters on his mind throughout the Brentford win, where the ire of the Anfield fans would quickly turn from the country's establishment to one of the country's most established referees.

Anthony Taylor has had his own run-ins with Klopp this season, as it was he who - again, correctly - sent off the German in October's 1-0 win over Manchester City.

The fact that Taylor hails from Greater Manchester and often referees some of Liverpool's biggest games against the Manchester clubs is a frequent talking point amongst Reds supporters, and so when he began to frequently award fouls against the hosts in the first half - with Fabinho a favourite target, seemingly - the noise that had been reserved for the enforcement of the national anthem passed on to Taylor's enforcement of the laws.

The referee would end the game awarding 19 fouls against Liverpool, almost double the 10 he gave against Brentford, which is something of a curiosity given that the hosts had more possession and won the shot count by 15 to five.

There was real fury around Anfield as Taylor's decisions repeatedly went against the hosts, but Klopp would often just smile and silently shake his head. There was the odd conversation with fourth official Graham Scott, but they were never too animated and no hamstrings were in danger of being pulled. At one stage he simply turned away and maniacally laughed when another call went against his side.

The Reds boss was largely subdued throughout the game (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

A lesson in contrition learned? Hopefully, as Klopp's histrionics have gone too far this season and he can't complain when he's used as an example of what others should not do.

He seemed to wear a knowing look of what is to come on Saturday, and while the vast majority of Anfield vented their fury at the man in the centre circle after the man in the throne, Klopp remained largely calm.

Too late to avoid a ban surely, but better late than never.

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