Skip to content

Ref Watch: Jurgen Klopp should have been removed against Chelsea, says Dermot Gallagher

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31:  Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool gives instruction during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anf
Image: Jurgen Klopp deserved to be sent off against Chelsea, according to Dermot Gallagher

Ref Watch is back to debate another selection of controversial decisions from the midweek round of Premier League fixtures.

Former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher has been in the Sky Sports News HQ studio to give his view on a number of incidents from the latest round of Premier League games.

Touchline outbursts, dangerous tackles and contentious goals all feature in this week's edition...

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Diego Costa of Chelsea and Joel Matip of Liverpool compete for the ball  during the Premier League match between Liverpool
Image: Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Joel Matip tripped Diego Costa

INCIDENT: Chelsea are awarded a penalty when Joel Matip challenges Diego Costa inside the area.

SCENARIO: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believed Dejan Lovren was fouled in the build-up to the award of the penalty, while Costa appeared to go down easily under minimal contact from Matip.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision

DERMOT SAYS: I must admit, when I first saw it I thought it wasn't a penalty. However, watching it back now I see that it is because Matip takes him out. It's definitely a penalty.

Also See:

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jurgen Klopp admits he was lucky to avoid punishment against Chelesa

INCIDENT: Jurgen Klopp confronts the fourth official after Mark Clattenburg awards Chelsea a second-half penalty.

SCENARIO: Klopp escaped punishment for shouting in Neil Swarbrick's face following Mark Clattenburg's decision to award Chelsea a penalty after Joel Matip's second-half challenge on Diego Costa.

Klopp has since revealed that Swarbrick congratulated him on his 'passion' once he had received an apology from the Reds manager.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho took aim at Klopp and accused Premier League referees of favouring the German after he was told to sit down for a similar outburst during Manchester United's goalless draw with Hull the following day.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision

DERMOT SAYS: The fourth official who spoke to Jose Mourinho last night acted within the guidelines and the procedures he was given at the start of the season.

The problem emanates from the fact that, when you watch Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday night, for me in view of the procedures, that's totally unacceptable.

It was something that had to be dealt with and it wasn't dealt with. I feel that Klopp should have been removed without doubt.

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

James Milner was booked for a late challenge on Victor Moses
Image: James Milner was booked for a late challenge on Victor Moses

INCIDENT: James Milner is booked for a sliding challenge on Victor Moses midway through the second half.

SCENARIO: Chelsea's players and Antonio Conte reacted angrily to the Liverpool defender's challenge and believed it warranted a straight red card.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision

DERMOT SAYS: I think it is one of those ones which is right on the edge. I think if he gets sent off nobody would argue with the decision. He's probably just about got it right though.

Manchester United 0-0 Hull City

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United looks on
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was denied a penalty against Hull

INCIDENT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is denied a late penalty after going down in the box under a challenge from Tom Huddlestone.

SCENARIO: Mike Jones stopped play after Ibrahimovic handled the ball while grounded. Hull believed Ibrahimovic moved his body across Huddlestone in order to make contact while Jose Mourinho claimed the Swede was brought down after having his ankle tapped.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision

DERMOT SAYS: I don't think it's a penalty. I think he tries to go across Huddlestone - it's not a foul. At first I thought the referee was going to book him for simulation but he stopped the play for handball. It was a much the fault of Ibrahimovic as Huddlestone.

Manchester United 0-0 Hull City

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Should Niasse have seen red?

INCIDENT: Oumar Niasse escapes a red card despite appearing to foul Michael Carrick and Daley Blind while already booked.

SCENARIO: Mike Jones booked Niasse for a soft foul on Marcos Rojo early in the match but chose not to issue a second booking for the two later challenges despite appeals from the Manchester United players.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision

DERMOT SAYS: There's no doubt in my mind that it is a yellow card. If you've put the player in last chance saloon then he's got to go. The first one he was very, very unlucky to get a yellow but overall he was very, very lucky to stay on the pitch.

West Ham 0-4 Manchester City

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gabriel Jesus opens his Manchester City account against West Ham

INCIDENT: Gabriel Jesus notches his first goal for Manchester City after finishing off a neat passing move with Raheem Sterling.

SCENARIO: Kevin Friend and linesman Darren Cann allowed the goal to stand despite two close offside calls in the build-up to the goal.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision.

DERMOT SAYS: This is why he [Cann] has officiated in a World Cup final. The first pass he rightly calls onside. The second one is tight but he [Jesus] is behind the ball. Even though he is in front of the last defender he is still onside.

Burnley 1-0 Leicester

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Should Burnley's goal been allowed?

INCIDENT: Sam Vokes scores the winning goal for Burnley with just minutes remaining in the match at Turf Moor.

SCENARIO: Mike Dean allowed the goal to stand despite the ball appearing to striker Vokes' arm in the build-up to the goal.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision

DERMOT SAYS: I think it's a tough one to call but he's handled the ball. He knows it. You have to look at the players' reactions. I think he's got that one wrong.

Stoke 1-1 Everton

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Mark Hughes felt Stoke were the better side and that Everton’s goal was offside, even if the ball came off Ryan Shawcross last before crossing the line.

INCIDENT: Everton equalise after Ryan Shawcross deflects the ball into his own net under pressure from Romelu Lukaku.

SCENARIO: Craig Pawson originally disallowed the goal, believing Lukaku had scored from an offside position, but later reversed his decision after consulting his linesman.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision

DERMOT SAYS: He [Lukaku] hasn't interfered with the play. To interfere with the play he has to block Shawcross' line of vision, which he hasn't, or move towards to challenge him for the ball, which he doesn't do.

Around Sky