Here in Serbia 14.1. on old or 27.1. in new calendar is Church holiday called "Day of Holy Sava". On that day markets didn't work. Greek merchants didn't know that and often have been arrested for working on that holiday and then complain because there is no Holy Sava day in Greek Ortodox Church. That's how idiom "You're complaining like Greek in prison" came in Serbian language.
It seems that we have complaining Greek in prison in Premier League and his name is Jurgen Klopp. LoL He didn't stop complaining two days after 2:2 draw against Tottenham in North London.
I know we can be biased when we watch and support or coach one club, but we shouldn't put black blindfold over eyes and mention only situations where we think decision didn't go in our favor. Here is what he said to referee:
"Robo (Andy Robertson) is good lad, but he lost control. You can give Rob red, that was not the cleverest move, but Harry's attempt was definitely for red. There is no doubt about it. Fact that Andy's leg was in air was pure coincidence. If his leg was on the ground he would earn broken leg. We have VAR which is collecting dust it seems. He estimated he should watch Andy's attempt, that is great, that is why he is there. We've got confirmation VAR referee is in room by that. But what with Harry's attempt ?We also have situation with penalty not given after foul on Jota. Mr. Tierny told me Jota stopped because he waited for foul. Well he need to stop, if you want to kick you must stop you can't do both things."
I can agree with referee that Kane could and should get red card if his attempt hits Robbo's leg and cause him harm. He jumped and avoided start almost completely. However question is why Robbo did almost identical start on same game before that on Emerson and didn't get even yellow card ? It was also open sole, it could also hurt Emerson heavily. Liverpool fan base is lamenting about Kane reckless tackle, but they loved and love when Gerrard or their player do that. Ask yourself Jurgen what would you say if your player did such challenge and get red ? I'll tell you you'd jump near line like "stunned ram"! How do we call persons who are lecturing you about not doing something while they do same thing ? It starts on h. Are you that on h Jurgen ?
Penalty for Liverpool on Jota ? Referee is right again he waited for contact to fall to get penalty. When player is doing that there should not be penalty. Some people are saying Alli also waited for contact inside the box in second half, because of lack of confidence. It was not body to body contact, but hand to back. Not sure about intensity, but if he feel without need then he must be crazy and should get yellow card for that. On the other hand if that was enough contact then it should be penalty. What about jump of Liverpool player on Harry Winks near penalty area line ? There was enough contact in that only question is was it penalty or free kick, but no foul was given. We saw Liverpool taking ball and going in promising counter attack after that instead of watching Dier shooting free kick or Kane shooting penalty...
Here is Klopp's view of game he told to liverpool web site:
“The challenge was today we play against Tottenham, who set up a 5-3-2 and when they won the ball deep in their own half, they just kicked it as far as possible and Kane and Son were on their bikes for it, so we struggled with these moments slightly.”
However when you look stats of the game you can be surprised by fact that Liverpool had 62 and Tottenham 58 or 59 long balls. When you dig deeper you can see that Liverpool had more than 900 long balls this season and is 9th in league with that while Tottenham had only above 600 this season and is 20th in league with that. So who is playing long balls here ? Don't get me wrong I don't think long balls are wrong or should be outlawed. I think it's legitimate tactics good against high press.
I agree in one thing Tottenham's long balls were far more dangerous than Liverpool's and could harm someone like Klopp. So if he wanted to say what I believe he wanted to say that Tottenham players are ignorant who can just kick long balls in save who is alive mode he was very wrong. Number of chances after them was really good. I don't think those were some random high long balls, but deliberate tactics against Liverpool developed on training ground. They looked like bombs/shells from mortars or howitzers and were not deadly for Liverpool only because our strikers didn't have their night. From that point of view I udnerstand Klopp's concern.
I want to point out to something else. It's fact that Tottenham players outran Liverpool for 7km! It's hard to believe but that's what happened. That is Conte effect! That is what Conte and his staff are doing in Spurs! He motivated those players, train them hard and quickly changes their mentality. I always told if those players get motivated and start to run on clever intelligent way instead of jogging other side will be in big trouble no matter how good it is. He is not doing just that, he study opponent real good and adapt and pick up the best tactics to fight them. Multiple players told that he gives each of them precise task what he should do and what area of play he need to improve. He can do that he was very good football player, there are no secrets for him in football... Thing I love the most with Conte is his passion! I mean look at this he's happy like he was born and grown in N17. It's wonder what little time without ketchup and mayonaisse can do to Spurs squad! Well done Antonio. COYS!
Jurgen stop complaining like Greek in prison every time you lose the game, take off blindfold and start noticing what are your players doing before you speak about other players.
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