Klopp charged by FA over comments about referee

Jurgen Klopp charged for comments about referee after Liverpool draw with West Ham

The Reds boss suggested Kevin Friend had favoured West Ham after getting an offside call wrong for Liverpool's opener

Jurgen Klopp has been charged by the FA for comments made about referee Kevin Friend after Liverpool's draw with West Ham .

Klopp was furious with the officials for their performance during the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

The Liverpool boss suggested they had favoured West Ham in the second half to make up for not flagging Sadio Mane's goal for offside.

Klopp stormed onto the pitch at full-time and is alleged to have called referee Friend "arrogant".

Speaking afterwards, he said: "I heard our goal was offside, I'm pretty sure the ref knew that in the second half.

“In 50-50 situations or 60-40 it was always a free-kick for the other team, which was hard and did not make life easy.” 

Klopp now faces a possible touchline ban for his conduct, in what would be a major disruption to Liverpool's title charge.

An FA statement read: "Jürgen Klopp has today been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.

"It is alleged that comments he made in a post-match interview following Liverpool’s league game against West Ham United on 4 February 2019 breached Rule E3(1) as they questioned the integrity of the match referee and/or implied bias.

"He has until 18:00 on 18 February 2019 to respond to the charge."

Liverpool are not back in action until their Champions League clash with Bayern next Tuesday.

Klopp could therefore be forced to watch their crucial trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on February 24 from the stands.