Premier League official David Coote is beneath investigation after a video posted on-line confirmed him criticising each Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
Coote, 42, has been a top-level referee since 2018 and has typically been criticised for his decision-making in opposition to the Reds in high-profile matches.
The Nottingham-born official oversaw Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa on the weekend, having controversially not given Pau Torres a penalty when he was adjudged to have been fouled within the penalty space.
Previous to his first go to to Anfield in 2020, Coote had officiated 26 Premier League matches. His debut task involving the Reds was a 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield, through the COVID pandemic the place video games had been pressured to be performed behind closed doorways.
The Clarets annoyed Liverpool all through with then-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp stating after the full-time whistle: “We had been offended with the referee however we now have to criticise ourselves first for not ending the sport.”
Some 4 years handed earlier than Coote was once more handed accountability for one more recreation involving Liverpool, with some reviews suggesting this was completed understanding the video existed and to assist cool the matter behind the scenes.
Through the 2021/22 marketing campaign, the 42-year-old was appointed to supervise two cup video games the place Liverpool beat each Preston and Shrewsbury with little issues all through both contest.
Subsequent got here defeats in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the 2022/23 Carabao Cup, as Liverpool had been overwhelmed 3-2 by Pep Guardiola’s facet.
There was additionally one other loss, this time in opposition to Brighton within the FA Cup, however Fabinho, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson had been all fortunate to not be given their marching orders for separate incidents throughout the 90 minutes.
How Luis Diaz’s leveller was allowed to face stays a thriller, with a number of gamers clearly in an offside place through the 2-1 win over Brighton within the Premier League final season.
His remaining outing, may effectively be, the latest 2-0 win in opposition to Aston Villa at Anfield, through which solely maybe Villa defender Torres felt a bit of aggrieved to not have earned a penalty within the build-up to Darwin Nunez’s opener. Coote additionally appeared to wave away fast appeals for knowledgeable foul on Mohammed Salah by Leon Bailey which might’ve nearly actually been topic of a VAR test had Dawin Nunez not taken over possession and scored.
The largest bone of rivalry would be the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in 2020 with Everton, when Coote was on VAR duties and did not act when Jordan Pickford flew into Virgil van Dijk, thus inflicting a season-ending ACL damage to the Dutchman within the course of.
“I feel they bend the strains generally to make it offside,” mentioned Klopp within the aftermath. “I am undecided how they do it, I’ve seen it earlier than.” It was then nearly three years earlier than Coote acquired within the VAR sales space for one more Reds fixture.
In whole whether or not as referee or concerned one way or the other with VAR, Coote has overseen 20 Liverpool video games in whole since being promoted by the Premier League as a top-level official. The Merseysiders have received 11, drawn 4 and misplaced 5, so a fairly common file general.
Manchester United will maybe be extra angered by Coote this season, particularly given the penalty awarded in opposition to them vs West Ham was the ultimate nail within the coffin for Erik ten Hag. We await the video on that one…
