Jurgen Klopp ‘called referee Kevin Friend arrogant’ after Liverpool’s draw at West Ham

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called referee Kevin Friend arrogant following his side’s disappointing draw at West Ham on Monday night, according to reports.

The 51-year-old Klopp was asked to provide written observations to the Football Association over his comments about the official on Tuesday.

Klopp approached Friend after the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium and branded him ‘arrogant,’ according to The Sun. 

Jurgen Klopp confronts referee Kevin Friend (right) after Liverpool’s draw at West Ham

‘Klopp was complaining about Kevin and accused him of inconsistencies in the second half,’ a source from the Premier League told the newspaper.

‘Kevin told him he had to go away and they can’t talk on the pitch.

‘Klopp then said “I can’t talk to you” and Friend repeated “Not now and not here”. Then Klopp called him “arrogant” and walked off.’

Liverpool players trudge back to the their positions after conceding an equaliser on Monday

Monday’s result reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points and rivals Manchester City can move above them with victory at Everton tonight (Wednesday).

Sadio Mane broke the deadlock at West Ham but replays showed it should have been cancelled out for offside in the build-up.

Michail Antonio equalised for West Ham minutes later but Klopp suggested Friend had found out about his assistant’s mistake at half-time and that the official’s decision-making thereafter may have been compromised as a result.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called referee Kevin Friend ‘arrogant’ following the clash

Klopp told Sky Sports: ‘We had good moments, coming through the channels and scored the goal, which I’ve now been told is offside. This explains a little bit the second half, because I think the referee knew at half-time.

‘He knew it for sure at half-time, and then you saw a lot of strange situations. They were not decisive but just rhythm-breakers. That obviously didn’t help us.

‘There were so many situations where it was 50-50 or 60-40… [he gave a] free-kick for the other team.’

His remarks attracted the attention of the FA, which has sought Klopp’s opinion on the matter.