Jurgen Klopp thinks first-half decisions had impact on Liverpool’s draw at Spurs

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his side’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham could have turned out differently if VAR calls had gone their way.

The Reds, who reported four cases of coronavirus before the game, were on course for three points in north London after goals from Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson helped them overturn Harry Kane’s early opener.

But Son Heung-min took advantage of Alisson Becker’s howler to earn Spurs a worthy point, but the game was packed with VAR drama.

Kane could easily have seen red for a first-half challenge on Robertson but his yellow card was not upgraded, unlike when the Scot hacked down Emerson Royal in the second half.

Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty in the first half when Jota was bundled over, while Spurs felt Dele Alli should have won a penalty and that Mohamed Salah handled in the build-up to the Reds’ second goal.

Klopp, who was booked by referee Paul Tierney, was not impressed. He said: “The game would have been different with two key decisions in the first half.

“Let’s start with Robbo, we saw it back and yes you can give a red card there.

“It’s not the harshest ever but it is not the smartest as well, he knows that, he is a really good boy but he lost it a little bit.

“This red card you can give, but this is the proof that the VAR was there today because before that we thought he might not be in his office because of the two other situations.

“I think we all agree Harry Kane should have seen a red card and he didn’t. The penalty situation Mr Tierney told me he thought Diogo Jota stopped on purpose and wanted to get hit and if you watch back that is a very exclusive view.

“It was a very quick decision, he saw it. I am not sure he was prepared for it, how can he react that quick?

“It is a clear penalty but he thought it was a clear no penalty. Wow. That is two wrong decisions from him and one right, all three against us.”

On why Kane’s challenge was not reviewed, the German added: “I have no idea, you have to ask VAR.