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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gives view on rule change after Rui Patricio injury

Jurgen Klopp sent Liverpool's best wishes to Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio after he suffered a suspected concussion in the 1-0 win at Molineux.

But the Reds manager doesn't believe the accidental collision could have been avoided with a change of the offside laws after Mohamed Salah had a goal chalked off.

Patricio was stretched off in the closing stages following an accidental knee to the head from his captain, Conor Coady, as Diogo Jota's first-half strike won the game for the visitors.

After a lengthy stoppage, Wolves were allowed to use a fourth substitute under the 'concussion law' with John Ruddy coming on in place of his stricken colleague.

Klopp said the nature of the incident made the game an afterthought at the time, but the Reds boss says the current offside rule - one that sees flags belatedly lifted by referees' assistants - was not to blame for the collision.

"We of course wish him all the best, it was a very awful situation," Klopp said.

"I didn't even see it to be honest. I saw the impact but not the situation because I watched it back and saw the flag going up.

"I was surprised I heard the goalie was on the ground and yes, everything loses its importance in that moment.

"So I don't know how long [play stopped for], maybe seven or eight minutes, that is completely normal and then you worry even more.

"So yes, we wish him all the best in his recovery and hopefully he will be fine, immediately."

The Liverpool boss added: "I think the whole [offside law] needs to be looked at, but I don't think this situation...from what I saw and I didn't see it back, it was not like miles offside or the clearest offside in the world.

"So I really think for that [injury], we cannot change this situation as unlucky and awful as it was, yes.

"But there are obviously situations in the game when everyone sees that it is offside.

"But they are the rules, we have spoken about a lot of things and they need to be looked at, for sure, if someone changes it? I don't know."

After the final whistle, Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo gave a positive update on Patricio: "He's conscious, totally conscious, he remembers what happened, he is aware, so the doctor tells me he's ok."

Liverpool moved up to sixth in the Premier League following the win on Monday night.

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