Arne Slot refused to comment on Paul Tierney’s decision not to produce a red card after a brutal tackle from James Tarkowski with the referee previously having numerous issues with Jurgen Klopp
Arne Slot was stunned that referee Paul Tierney chose not to send off James Tarkowski after a high tackle on Alexis Mac Allister in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby. Liverpool edged out the contest, but much of the talk was about the first-half tackle that escaped a red card.
Tarkowski came flying in and, whilst he got the ball first, his studs ended up hitting Mac Allister high up on his leg which left the midfielder down in pain. Tierney handed out a yellow card and, despite VAR coming in to take a second look, there was no red card review advised.
It came to the surprise of almost everyone watching. Jamie Carragher claimed: “For Paul Tierney to not give it on VAR is shocking.” Gary Neville echoed that sentiment as he said: “That’s a potential leg breaker.”
Slot clearly felt that he didn’t need to say anything when quizzed on the challenge, claiming he wasn’t surprised after the referee, who had a long standing feud with Jurgen Klopp, chose to pick yellow over red. He said: “Let me first say that I don’t want to comment about the situation because so many people already commented on that, even people that are not liking Liverpool a lot, and they were all so clear and obvious what the decision should have been.
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“There’s no need for me to comment on that. Was I surprised? No.”
Liverpool largely have a good record when Tierney referees their games – and they saw off Everton – but Klopp previously had numerous issues with the official. The German claimed in 2021 that Tierney was the only referee he didn’t see eye-to-eye with. “I have no problem with any referees, only you,” he said.
Once upon a time, after an issue involving Andy Robertson during a game officiated by Tierney Klopp said: “I think there are some things we could talk about but they are not really helpful, and that’s why I would prefer not to talk about it, but we had our issues with some referees.”
The frustration Klopp had with Tierney was certainly not a one off and even when his Reds side would win games he still found time to air his issues with the referee.
Back in May 2023 Liverpool secured a late win over Tottenham, owing to a stoppage time goal from Diogo Jota, and Klopp celebrated in front of the fourth official before speaking his mind, which ultimately earned him a touchline ban and a fine.
The Liverpool manager accused Tierney of being biased against the club and him in a post-match interview. He said: “We have our story, history with Mr Tierney. I really don’t know what this man has with us, I really don’t know … always will say there is nothing, and it’s not true. Cannot be. I have to say it cannot be. I don’t understand it. I am really not sure if it’s me because how he looks at me, I don’t understand it.”
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