JURGEN KLOPP aimed a dig at Arsenal after Germany’s disastrous World Cup exit.
The 59-year-old former Liverpool boss watched his nation tumble out of the tournament on penalties for the first time, against minnows Paraguay.
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Jonathan Tah thought he had scored for Germany against Paraguay Credit: Reuters
The forward raced away to celebrate his extra-time header Credit: Reuters
But it was ruled out by VAR and his nation went on to crash out on penalties Credit: Reuters
But the damage was done earlier in the match when Jonathan Tah had a legitimate-looking header ruled out when VAR ruled Waldemar Anton had fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Alan Shearer blasted the decision as “pathetic” but Klopp used the instance to shine a light on Arsenal‘s own set-piece tactics..
The European powerhouses – four-time winners of the Jules Rimet – went a goal behind when former Ipswich and Bright man Julio Enciso headed the underdogs in front in the 42nd minute.
Germany improved in the second half and equalised when a glancing header from Kai Havertz connected with a cross from Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz.
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Germany World Cup goal vs Paraguay ruled out after ‘pathetic’ VAR call
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Then on 102 minutes Tah thought he had won the game with a bullet header.
The referee eventually ruled it out, leaving German boss Julian Nagelsmann fuming and eventually booked on the touchline.
Havertz missed the first penalty, before Jose Canales scored the last to win it 3-4.
But Klopp used his TV gig to take a pop at his old Premier League rivals over their supposed roughhouse tactics at set-pieces that helped them land the title.
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Waldemar Anton was ruled to have fouled Orlando Gill just before Teh nodded home Credit: EPA
Liverpool’s former manager Jurgen Klopp aimed a swipe at Arsenal in his post-match review Credit: PA
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“If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions,” Klopp told Magenta TV.
“They’ve scored 60 percent of their goals that way.
“We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”
“There are worse things than defeats in sports. But there was only one goal, one dream, and that has been shattered. It was dramatic.
“There are 500,000 ways to win a football match. You just have to find one.”
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann now looks doomed but Havertz was brave enough to take his share of the blame.
“I don’t have much to say,” he said. “This is now my second World Cup and we’ve missed moving onto the next round twice now in a row. I want to apologise for that.
“We are all very disappointed.
“We had many plans for this year’s World Cup. It is not a very good feeling to disappoint again. The team tried a lot.
“One goal was disallowed.
“We had a very strong opponent; it was difficult to create chances and keep the pace.
“The Paraguayan team defended very deep and it was difficult to run for a long time.
“We tried to move over the flanks but unfortunately, it didn’t really work out. I don’t think we deserved to win this time.”
