When it comes to the specifics of how the game is called and how consistently it is done, there are the rules for football and then there are the ways in which officials apply the rules. In between, there is a gap that could cause confusion and ire among players, managers, and fans.
That uncertainty and frustration spilled over for Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp on Sunday after a tackle on Mohamed Salah that would have been deemed illegal in rugby—let alone football, the sport that was purportedly being showcased—was disregarded by referee Anthony Taylor.
Klopp ultimately lost it on the sidelines after becoming enraged with Anthony Taylor and his crew’s officiating, who were determined to tolerate situations that were technically outside the rules of the game on Sunday in an effort to let the game flow as certain English analysts would have it.
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The Liverpool manager was given a red card after charging out to challenge the assistant referee who had been standing just feet away when the incident occurred, which caused referee Taylor to stop play. After the game, the manager apologized for letting his emotions get the best of him.
It wasn’t the only instance on Sunday where referees disregarded City players dragging Liverpool players to the field by their shirts, and only VAR’s intervention disallowed a City goal for a similar incident after Taylor failed to give Liverpool a corner.
Klopp is likely to receive a touchline suspension. There is no automatic three-game suspension for cases like the one on Sunday where the manager was sent off, and the FA will instead conduct an investigation. Few people anticipate that Taylor and his crew will be held accountable for any officiating errors.