Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp took a swipe at Manchester United’s penalty record and fanned the flames of a potential title race after his side lost 1-0 to Southampton on Monday.
The German was frustrated after his team had two penalty appeals turned down as Liverpool searched for an equalizer to cancel out Danny Ings’ ingenious finish in the second minute of the match.
The defeat means Liverpool can now be overtaken by both Manchester United and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table if both teams win their games in hand.
Speaking after the match, a frustrated Klopp compared his side’s penalty record with that of Manchester United, which won its previous match after scoring from a controversial spot-kick.
“We cannot change. I hear now that Manchester United had more penalties in two years than I had in five-and-a-half years. But we can change our performance.
Although his comments are not substantiated, United has been awarded 32 penalties since the start of the 2018/19 season compared to Liverpool’s 17.
However, Manchester United (6) has only been awarded one more penalty than Liverpool in the league this season and both teams have scored the same amount (5).
Despite dominating possession for much of the match, Liverpool’s winless run has now stretched to three games and Klopp’s side looks to be lacking its clinical edge.
