After a heated contest resulted in a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday night, Jurgen Klopp refused to criticise Tony Pulis’ physical side.
Klopp and Pulis clashed on the touchline during the game, with referee Craig Pawson forced to contend with a number of heated confrontations in a tense, physical affair at Anfield.
On Pulis, Klopp said: “I didn’t see him after the game. I can say nothing. We had some words in the game; sometimes it takes more than a few seconds to cool down.
“Usually I shake hands, I did not today because it was not a friendly game.”
Klopp also defended goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who continues to draw criticism.
“I said to Simon at half-time, if somebody says it was your fault, it is not true, it is my fault. I have nothing negative to say about Simon,” he added.
“They had six or seven players who were six foot four or taller and that is really difficult to defend but we will do better and work on it.
“In England it is really difficult for goalkeepers to come out as there is no-one to protect them but he can help if he comes out.”
Pulis also played down any perceived animosity with Klopp, insisting he was more annoyed about not leaving with three points.
“He has got to do what he has got to do, I am more disappointed about the way they came back to make it 2-2,” he said.
“He is animated. I have been animated all my life on the bench. I have no problems with that.
“We have come here, tried to be resilient. I don’t think there was a booking during the game. The big disappointment was they got that goal.”
Pulis also brushed aside Craig Gardner’s tackle on Dejan Lovren.
“The two worst challenges in the game are [James] Milner’s challenge on Gardner and Skrtel’s challenge on Salomon [Rondon]. Gardner has played the ball. The others Skrtel has gone right over the ball,” he added.
Pulis was annoyed at Olsson’s effort being disallowed for offside after referee Craig Pawson initially awarded the goal and only changed his mind after a discussion with linesman Roger West, who at no point signalled for offside.
“The big disappointment is the linesman never put his flag up,” said the West Brom manager.
“They tell me he is offside so why he hasn’t put his flag up and why has he dragged the referee 50 yards across to talk to him?
“We will speak to the officials on Monday to find out why that is. If the flag goes up at the time we accept everything.”
LIVERPOOL 2-2 WEST BROM:
- Match Report: Reds ride their luck with late comeback
- Player Ratings: Henderson is our Man of the Match
- Talking Points: Klopp goes mad and Mignolet keeps flapping
- Fan Reactions “Divock the Casbah!”
- Tactical Review: Klopp’s shifting tactics earn draw with West Brom
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