West Ham fans have been reacting on social media to a bold claim made by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who was quoted by the BBC questioning the officials after the Reds scraped a draw at the London Stadium thanks to an offside goal.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring for the visitors on the 22nd minute after the linesman failed to raise his flag and halt play as James Milner stood in an offside position.
The Hammers’ clever thinking from a set piece created the chance for Michail Antonio to equalise six minutes later, but the Englishman’s efforts could have been rendered useless had Divock Origi managed to find the net in the dying moments when he was adjudged onside, even though he was not.
Despite scoring an offside goal and nearly adding another, Klopp was far from impressed with the officiating during the Monday night affair, and was quoted by the BBC as suggesting that the referee was concerned he could make another error.
“I heard our goal was offside, I’m pretty sure the ref knew that,” Klopp claimed.
“In 50-50 situations it was always a free-kick for the other team, which was hard and did not make life easy.
“As a human being, if I know I have made a big mistake in the first half, I don’t want to open the gap anymore.
“Referees are obviously human beings, and I understand that, but I didn’t during the game because I had no clue that our goal was offside.”
The German’s claims certainly caught the attention of these West Ham fans…
Mate, your first goal was 10,000 yards offside. Wind your neck in. Your gonna bottle it…again. ???? #WHUFC https://t.co/xRkwgCaNwW
— Phil???????? (@PhilJets90) February 5, 2019
Yeah, the strangest one of all being Origi in the 94th minute NOT being ruled offside. Weirdo. #WHUFC https://t.co/X8yiKj1nDR
— Lukie D (@LJD_0303) February 5, 2019
???? ???? ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/908di6aWqa
— Sim ⚒W.H.U.⚒. (@BeckleySim) February 5, 2019
Without the referee and the useless linesman his team would have lost!
— Tony ⚒???? (@TonyHymas) February 5, 2019
Don’t suppose he’d have been moaning if Origi had scored at the end from ANOTHER offside position. He ought to be thanking the officials as Liverpool would have lost without them.
— Argheffbee (@54bobb) February 5, 2019
But…uh…blugh…HOW??????♂️
— Jonathan Blakeley (@blakeleyjono) February 5, 2019
i watched it on tv and couldn’t believe that offside wasn’t given,still with the arrival of var hopefully it will correct things like that.the lads played out of their skins just a shame they only do it against the big boys and get a little too complacent some times.
— Tim (@TIM_WHUFC_DINES) February 5, 2019