From leg-breakers to microwave jibes: Inside Klopp's historic feud with Tierney

Klopp didn't hold back after the 4-3 victory over Spurs, suggesting that Tierney has a problem with him and his Reds side.

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The Liverpool boss was shown a yellow card by Tierney for the second time this season having celebrated wildly to Diogo Jota's 94th minute winner in fourth official's John Brooks' face in an incident that left him with a pulled hamstring.

Klopp said: "How they can give a foul on Mohamed Salah [before Spurs' third goal].

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"We have our history with [Paul] Tierney, I really don't know what he has against us, he has said there is no problems but that cannot be true."

The PGMOL have since issued a statement supporting Tierney while Klopp has been warned that he is in 'big trouble' for his criticism.

But where did this hostile feud start? talkSPORT.com takes a look at some of the most notable moments between Klopp and Tierney…

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Wij-no-foul?

Klopp's feud with Tierney seems to date back to Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa in July 2020 during Project Restart.

The game was the club's first at Anfield since becoming Premier League champions and COVID-19 meant no fans were in attendance.

And the lack of supporters meant reporters in the stands overhead an exchange between Klopp and Tierney.

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The Liverpool manager was venting his anger at the officials for failing to note a foul on Georginio Wijnaldum.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Tierney said: "I missed it Jurgen. I'm like players, I'm going to make mistakes. I missed it. Get over it."

Mane in the middle

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Six months later Tierney had drawn the ire of Klopp at Anfield again during Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Manchester United in January 2021.

Liverpool were trailing league leaders United by three points heading into the game but had the golden chance to open the scoring when fourth official Craig Pawson awarded a minimum of one minute additional time.

But Tierney blew early for half-time despite Sadio Mane being through on goal.

And in a clip that has since become an legendary meme, Klopp was left visibly aghast while Thiago had his head in his hands.

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Jordan Henderson said afterwards: "Yeah, we weren't happy about that, as you can imagine.

"Strange, very strange, you know I think he's through on goal if he doesn't blow, we were frustrated at half-time."

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Kane and unable

The feud between the pair reached its highest animosity in Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Spurs in December 2021.

Harry Kane escaped a red card for a wild challenge on Andrew Robertson before the Scot himself was given his marching orders for a kick-out at Emerson.

Immediately after the final whistle, Klopp went up to Tierney on the pitch and said: "I have no problems with referees, only you."

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He later added in his post-match press conference, Klopp added: "I really have no idea what his (Tierney's) problem is with me. You just need an objective ref who sees the situations and trust them."

Klopp was not punished for his comments but Tierney was removed from VAR duties for Liverpool's trip to Chelsea in early January 2022.

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Bee sting

Klopp has even taken swipes at Tierney when he hasn't been the referee when the latter served as fourth official for Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Brentford earlier this year.

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The former Borussia Dortmund boss was insistent that Bryan Mbeumo had pushed over Ibrahima Konate before scoring Brentford's third.

Klopp was then asked whether he'd spoken to the officials, which included Tierney, about it, replying: "Yeah, but actually that's exactly the same as I would talk to my microwave, you get no response, really, it's always the same."

Hard to swallow

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Tierney was coincidentally the man in the middle when Liverpool drew 2-2 with then-league leaders Arsenal at Anfield last month.

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis allegedly elbowed Reds defender Robertson when the Scotland captain approached him at half-time.

Tierney made the decision to show Robertson a yellow card while Hatzidakis was allowed to man the touchline for the second half.

Hatzidakis was suspended following the match, but the case has now been closed with no action to be taken against either.

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