Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been hit with a two-game touchline ban and a £75,000 fine due to comments he made after his side's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
Liverpool only have two Premier League games remaining as they try and pip Newcastle United to a top four spot. However, Klopp WILL still be allowed on the touchline for the Reds' final game of the campaign.
The first match of his touchline ban is effective immediately, meaning the German will miss Saturday's home clash with Aston Villa. However, the second game is suspended until the end of the 2023/24 season on the condition Klopp 'does not commit any further breaches of FA Rule E3 in the meantime'. This means he will be back on the touchline for the season finale against Southampton.
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An FA statement read: "Jurgen Klopp admitted that his comments regarding the match referee during post-match media interviews constitute improper conduct as they imply bias, question the integrity of the referee, are personal, offensive, and bring the game into disrepute."
Klopp landed himself in hot water after the enthralling 4-3 win over Tottenham by reigniting his feud with referee Paul Tierney. "I don't know what this man has against us," he said after the Anfield clash.
Klopp was also seen celebrating in the face of the fourth official after Diogo Jota netted a late winner to deny Spurs a memorable comeback earlier last month.
Liverpool are breathing down Newcastle United and Manchester United's necks in the tense battle for the top four. The Magpies hold a one-point advantage over their Merseyside counterparts but can stretch that lead to four points with a win over fellow chasers Brighton on Thursday evening.
"I don't feel like we're being hunted. I don't feel that emotion. It's us against ourselves, really. That's how I see it. It's us trying to be the best we can be," Eddie Howe said of the Liverpool battle this week.
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