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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fumes at Man United referee as Bruno Fernandes screams ignored

Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification were rekindled with a remarkable victory at Manchester United on Thursday.

Diogo Jota's equaliser, a Roberto Firmino brace and Mohamed Salah's 30th goal of the season earned the Reds a 4-2 triumph.

The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side have moved into fifth place and effectively have their top-four destiny in their own hands.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

Fernandes the screamer

While Bruno Fernandes perhaps would be stretching things to claim the opener - it's an own goal from Nat Phillips, surely - there's one award for the United midfielder that is beyond dispute.

After all, nobody could compete with his high-pitched, prolonged scream after taking a slight knock from Fabinho in the second half.

Having already pierced the Manchester night air with his regular yelps, his latest howl was sufficient to prompt an outburst of laughter from many inside the press box as play continued regardless.

Maybe Fernandes was just becoming frustrated that United hadn't been given a penalty.

Klopp questions the referee

It would have irked the United man even more that Liverpool were awarded a spot kick when Eric Bailly caught Nat Phillips.

This being the VAR age, however, referee Anthony Taylor was soon told to consult his pitchside monitor before reversing the call.

It was probably the right decision. But the Greater Manchester whistle-blower befuddled with many of his other calls.

"What are you doing?" came the shout from Jurgen Klopp towards Taylor after Scott McTominay, having just been booked, was allowed to almost rugby tackle substitute Sadio Mane. Completely ignoring it, Jurgen, that's what.

The three captains

With Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Virgil van Dijk all unavailable, Gini Wijnaldum once again skippered Liverpool.

That is until Wijnaldum was replaced with 16 minutes remaining and the captain's armband was passed on to Mohamed Salah.

And when the Egyptian made way during injury time, Trent Alexander-Arnold saw out the game in the role.

Given the right-back's man-of-the-match performance, it was an appropriate conclusion to a good night.

Technological failure

Nothing could wipe the smile off Jurgen Klopp's face after the match - although his patience was most certainly tested.

As has become the norm in these pandemic times, Klopp's post-game press conference was held over Zoom.

Normally there's no issue. At Old Trafford, though, gremlins in the system meant various journalists were left on mute while Klopp himself was silenced when giving one lengthy answer.

It was almost as comedic as some of Manchester United's defending.

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