Klopp mocks referee like 'microwave'

"Complaining to the referee is like talking to a microwave oven. You won't get a response," Klopp said after the loss at Gtech Community. "Before the season, the organizers reminded the players to be careful because the referees will always keep a close eye on controversial situations. But things are still the same. You watch matches like today and it's close. as anything is allowed".

Liverpool experienced a difficult first half when Brentford conceded four times. In the 19th minute, David Mbeumo took a corner kick and smashed the foot of central defender Ibrahima Konate and flew back to Liverpool, opening the score. In the 27th and 40th minutes, respectively, Yoane Wissa twice brought the ball into the visitors' net from corners, but were denied by VAR because of offside. In the 42nd minute, Wissa scored a valid goal, from the live ball, with a header from close to the wall.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shortened the lead early in the second half, but Brentford ended the game controversially after 84 minutes. From Christian Norgaard's long cross, midfielder Konate blocked the ball and fell to the impact of Mbeumo, helped the Brentford player shoot from close range to beat Alisson, setting the score 3-1. It was Brentford's first win over Liverpool since 1938.

According to Klopp, Liverpool could not control the game because the referee was lenient with Brentford, helping the opponent to make mistakes. He said: "Brentford kept pulling and hugging. That made everything difficult. The referee was lenient with the ball like that. That's also why Brentford was so strong with fixed attacks, but conceded a lot from similar situations. Because they can't do the same when defending fixed in the box, otherwise they will get a penalty."

Klopp also said he could not "respect" the decision to recognize Brentford's third goal, noting that Konate had been clearly fouled. "In that situation, when you're sprinting and you're pushed slightly from behind, you lose control and fall. If you've ever played football, you'll understand that," he analyzed. "But the referee doesn't think so, and the VAR team thinks the situation is not clear."

Despite criticism for the referee team, Klopp insisted that he did not take that as an excuse for failure, and expressed his disappointment with the performance of his students. He emphasized that Liverpool should have led 2-0, but Darwin Nunez and Kostas Tsimikas squandered two clear face-to-face opportunities. "The second goal was a gift to Brentford, which I was really angry about," he said. "We have to control the game better, and we couldn't do that today."

Meanwhile, coach Thomas Frank said that the referee had done a good job and was pleased when Brentford extended the unbeaten streak in the Premier League to six matches. He also praised Mbeumo for his wise handling of Konate - a very strong player in duels.

On January 7, Liverpool returned home to Wolves, and Brentford met West Ham in the third round of the FA Cup.