Liverpool boss Klopp hits out at referee over Graveberch injury،
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says referee Chris Kavanagh doesn't have 'the level' for Carabao Cup final after criticizing the official for failing to take action on Moisés Caicedo for his tackle on Ryan Gravenberch during his team's 1-0 victory. Sunday.
Dutch international Gravenberch was taken off on a stretcher just 22 minutes into the match against Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea after being hit on the left ankle by a tackle from Caicedo.
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Referee Kavanagh waved play on and the incident was not reported to the official by VAR, despite replays highlighting the seriousness of the challenge posed to the former Bayern Munich player.
Klopp said he was surprised officials had not looked into the incident which worsened his side's injury problems, with 11 senior players now unavailable.
“There were two teams fighting very hard and the referee didn't have the level of play,” Klopp said. “He [Caicedo’s challenge] It wasn't even a mistake? Then the fourth official explains that we can't give a card… good idea.
“This situation was obvious to me, all you need for a map. They did an x-ray [on Gravenberch]. It’s not broken, but there’s something to the ligaments.”
Liverpool are back in action against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday and Klopp said he may struggle to name a team to take on the EFL Championship side.
“We don’t have a team at the moment for Wednesday,” he said. “The guys who came in might be able to play again, the others will be treated on Monday.
I love this country to pieces, but the schedule is not set up to win much. We will see the price we have to pay, but we fight for everything, and then we will see what comes next. One way or another on the other, against Southampton, there will be a team in Liverpool Jerseys.”
Liverpool's victory over Chelsea, sealed by Virgil van Dijk's headed goal in the 118th minute, was the first of four potential trophies for the club in what will be Klopp's final season as manager.
The contribution of the club's youngsters was crucial, with three teenagers and two 20-year-olds involved at one point.
“What happened here was absolutely insane, these things are not possible,” Klopp said. “The team, a group, an academy full of character. I’m so proud to be able to be part of it tonight.
“The crazy thing is that we deserved it. We had moments of luck, they had moments of luck. The boys arrived, it was really cool. We needed fresh legs, they were fresh but very young, but they did the job.”
