Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said “it’s like we’re going 10 to 15 years backwards” as he called on the Premier League to protect players by rethinking rule changes. Klopp was unhappy with a number of challenges during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Burnley.
Ahead of the new season, clubs were told officials would not penalise “trivial things” to allow games to flow better.
Klopp said, “If you like that sort of thing, watch wrestling.”
Referee Mike Dean did not issue any yellow cards at a sold-out Anfield on Saturday, despite Burnley conceding 12 free-kicks.
Klopp was frustrated with challenges from Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood and left questioning if the rule changes are having a negative impact on the game.
“We always had to be ready for a proper fight and we were today,” said Klopp.
“You saw these challenges with [Ashley] Barnes and [Chris] Wood and Virgil [van Dijk] and Joel [Matip]. I’m not 100% if officials are going in the right direction with these decisions.
“It’s like we’re going 10 to 15 years backwards. The rules are like they are, but you cannot defend these situations.
“The message now is let the game flow, but nobody exactly knows what that means.
‘This is the football we want to see but it’s just too dangerous.” The Reds manager concluded
BT sport
