Sorry for pitch invasion, says fired-up Klopp

JURGEN KLOPP apologised for his exuberant celebrations after racing on to the pitch following Divock Origi’s dramatic late winner.

The Liverpool manager sprinted 40 yards from his technical area to leap on goalkeeper Alisson after a disastrous error by Everton No 1 Jordan Pickford.

It is likely the FA will ask Klopp to explain his behaviour, if referee Chris Kavanagh includes it in his report.

Klopp said: ‘What can I say about it? I didn’t want to run. It was not in my plan. I couldn’t stop, obviously. Not cool, but it happened.

‘Immediately after the game I apologised to Marco Silva when we spoke to each other. I told him how much I respect his work, because it’s incredible what he has done with that team. They are just a really outstanding side.

‘Derbies are always difficult games but this was a completely different difficult to the last few years. Again, all my respect for Everton, really good. Both teams delivered a proper fight, a proper derby from the first second.

‘Football-wise we had a lot of really good moments, we tried to control the game and it was difficult as they closed the spaces really well. We could have had a few moments better, but we had our moments.’

Pickford was distraught when he left Anfield but did not shirk his duties and faced up to the moment he tipped Virgil van Dijk’s sliced volley into the path of Origi, who was making his first Premier League appearance of the season.

‘I will say sorry to the Everton fans again, because I know how much it means to them,’ said the 24-year- old, who also went over to apologise to the visiting supporters at the final whistle.

‘As players, we know how much it means. Look, you make mistakes every now and again. The ball spun and as I tried to flick it over, my hand hit the bar. I think it is the Everton luck when we come to Anfield.

‘It’s not something you can learn and train and get better from. It’s just a freak incident. You move on and get better. There’s nothing I can do about it now. I’m strong mentally and I will get over it.

‘I think you could see our progression as a group, the chances we created and the football we played.

‘That’s a positive but what can I do? There is always a case as a goalkeeper if you make an error it will lead to a goal. Unfortunately, it has been me today but I will be ready for Newcastle on Wednesday. We know we held our own against a good Liverpool side for 96 minutes.’

Curiously, Everton head coach Silva contradicted Klopp, saying: ‘ He didn’t apologise to me. I didn’t see it, I don’t know what he did. I don’t think he expected anything like that either. It was a lucky way to win but that’s football.

‘I don’t say it was a lack of respect because I didn’t see it. Maybe when I see that moment I can say more about the situation.’