Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp blasts referee for denying ‘clear penalty’ in frustrating draw with Leicester

Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool were denied a blatant penalty as they staggered to a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester on Wednesday night.

The Reds raced into the lead through Sadio Mane but a lapse in concentration allowed Harry Maguire to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

After Manchester City’s shock 2-1 defeat at Newcastle the night before, Liverpool had the chance to go seven points clear.

And they were denied a potential winner when no penalty was given for Ricardo Pereira’s challenge on Naby Keita in the second-half.

“I think everyone agrees it could have been a penalty but I don’t know why it was not given,” Klopp said.

“I don’t know what he thought in that moment. I think he had the best position. Usually, I have to explain penalties which were penalties, and you ask me if it was a soft penalty.

“A penalty is a penalty, there was no blood involved again today but it’s a penalty because one of our players is in the box. It is like it is. It won’t change. Nothing to worry about, keep on going.”

Klopp also suggests the Anfield pitch contributed to his side’s frustrating night.

With temperatures below freezing, a layer of snow covered the turf, which made it difficult to set a quick tempo, according to the Reds boss.

“You saw that the ball didn’t roll really,” said the German.

“If you then have the ball pretty much for 70 to 80% of the time it makes life really uncomfortable.

“The only problem is if it stays on the pitch and that was actually the case.”

Nonetheless, a point was enough for Liverpool to extend their lead to five points over City at the top of the Premier League.

Despite his obvious disappointment, Klopp was also keen to point out the positives.

“I don’t see it like we dropped points. We take what we get, and tonight it’s a point. It’s more than we had before the game, and that’s fine,” said Klopp.

“Is it that I am now overly-happy? No, of course not because we wanted to win that game, but we knew before that it would be really difficult.

“So the 1-1 is absolutely OK.”