Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was irate at official Michael Oliver for denying him the opportunity to sub on Adam Lallana when he wanted to in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Klopp believes that had he been able to substitute his star midfielder, who was making a long awaited comeback when he wanted, it would have changed the match result.
Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead over his former team in the 65′, and the Reds looked to be closing in on three points until Willian delivered what looked like a cross, but was in the end a shot on goal which beat an out of position Simon Mignolet to equalize in the 85′.
It was only until four minutes after the equalizer that Klopp was allowed to bring on Lallana.
An angry Jurgen Klopp said after the game: “We wanted to change the system, but the referee said it was taking too long. I don’t understand it. How can that take too long?
“I wanted to change to five at the back and it would have helped with where Willian got the ball. In these games you need a bit of luck. Willian’s goal was fantastic – even though it was probably a cross.”
Although it was a draw, the match did have a winner- table toppers Manchester City. Chelsea Captain Gary Cahill agreed with that sentiment when the question was posed to him afterward.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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