Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been asked to provide written observations to the Football Association over his comments about referee Kevin Friend, PA Sport understands.
The German questioned whether Friend’s decision-making was compromised by him potentially finding out Liverpool’s opener in their 1-1 draw at West Ham on Monday night had been offside in the build-up.
Klopp said after the game that Friend “did not want to open the gap any more” after half-time.
Klopp told Sky Sports: “We had good moments, coming through the channels and scored the goal, which I’ve now been told is offside. This explains a little bit the second half, because I think the referee knew at half-time.
“He knew it for sure at half-time, and then you saw a lot of strange situations. They were not decisive but just rhythm breakers. That obviously didn’t help us.
“There were so many situations where it was 50-50 or 60-40… [he gave a] free-kick for the other team.”
His remarks have attracted the attention of the FA, which has sought Klopp’s opinion on the matter. And Klopp could now face an FA charge after suggesting that Friend’s performance was affected by his first-half error.
Sadio Mane turned smartly to give Liverpool a first-half lead, despite James Milner being clearly offside in the build-up to the goal.