Klopp: Tactical fouls a bigger problem than diving

Sarah Winterburn

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp welcomes retrospective action for divers but says ‘tactical fouls’ are a bigger problem in English football.

Klopp says such fouls are “lazy” and are designed to stem the flow of the match; they should always be punished with a yellow card.

The issue is fresh in Klopp’s mind because of Ander Herrera’s hold on Roberto Firmino during Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

“If we could do things in retrospective with all decision (gives thumbs up). Fine. But only diving?” asked Klopp.

“I don’t think that makes too much sense. In this moment especially it is not my biggest problem.

“I really think that diving is not a real (issue). I can’t imagine when I last saw a real dive but if they want to do it I have no problem with it.

“I actually think we could think about a few more things.

“We could think about rules – and in my opinion, the tactical fouls.

“The tactical foul of holding a midfielder – and not because of Herrera, I mean in general – is an offensive action and should, for me, be an immediate yellow card. Only because it is lazy.”

“If you can, try to run to get it, then if not it is a situation.

“Tactical fouls for me are not hard (physical) but they disturb the fluency of the game.

“For me it is always yellow but nobody sees it like this.”