Bees stretch the rules, moans Klopp

JURGEN KLOPP claimed Brentford ‘stretched the rules’ at set-pieces after Liverpool’s top-four push was severely undermined by a stinging defeat in west London. Liverpool produced an abject defensive performance in going down to an Ibrahima Konate own goal and strikes by Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo. The manner of the defeat was alarming, with Konate’s deflection into his own net coming from an Mbeumo corner and the same delivery leading to two first-half goals for Wissa that were both disallowed for offside. Liverpool repeatedly failed to deal with the crosses, but Klopp pinpointed the officials for not clamping down on Brentford’s apparent grappling.

He said: ‘They stretch the rules in offensive set-pieces. They are really pushing, really holding. The refs… that’s obviously what you can do.

‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s smart. If you single out the situations you will find five fouls but it’s so chaotic nobody sees it.’ Brentford manager Thomas Frank later responded: ‘I guess we have some very good refs. We have four at the pitch and a VAR. It has never been more difficult to score a goal. We had two disallowed today.’ Klopp appeared frustrated after going 2-0 down in the first half and reacted by substituting three players at half-time, including Virgil van Dijk. Klopp explained the Dutchman came off as a precaution.

He said: ‘Virgil felt the hamstring a little bit. He said he is fine. It is nothing serious.’ The German also objected to Mbeumo’s strike for 3-1, claiming he fouled Konate. ‘The third was never a goal,’ he said. ‘A slight nudge will make you go down.’

Frank was ecstatic after a third win in four, and one achieved without the injured Ivan Toney. He said: ‘These players keep impressing me, with their mentality, effort, willpower, togetherness. It shouldn’t be possible in a way for Brentford to beat Liverpool. But with big belief we did it.’