Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Premier League
Saturday
20th May 2023
Anfield
In the last home game of the season, Liverpool must manage without its manager Jürgen Klopp. The German has been suspended for two games by the English Football Association FA, one of which is conditional.
Lijnders replaces Klopp at Champions League hunt Liverpool
The reason for the punishment are the statements Klopp made after the home game against Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of April. Paul Tierney’s leadership did not appeal to him that day. “We have a history with him. I don’t know what he has against us. He says there is nothing, but that can’t be true. I don’t understand how he looks at me. My celebration of the goal was not necessary, but what he said to me afterwards when he gave me a yellow card was also not okay,” Klopp grumbled, who was also injured during that celebration.
Klopp has to pay a fine of more than 86,000 euros
According to the FA, the manager now agrees that his statements imply partisanship, question the integrity of the referee, are personal and hurtful and discredit football, which the association says falls under the heading of ‘undesirable behaviour’. In addition to the afternoon of grumbling, Klopp also has to pay a fine of more than 86,000 euros.
It means that after a strong final sprint in a weak season, The Reds will face Aston Villa without the flamboyant manager. The following week, during the away game in and against the already relegated Southampton, Klopp is allowed to coach again. The second game suspension is conditional, with a term until the end of the 2023/24 season. Wins against Villa and Southampton are necessary to keep the pressure on Champions League competitors Manchester United and Newcastle United undiminished.
It has now been confirmed that Pepijn Lijnders will do the honours on Saturday. The Dutch assistant coach of the Liverpudlians also did this earlier this season, when Klopp also had to miss the game against Southampton due to a suspension.
