Jurgen Klopp raised Sadio Mane concern with referee after Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid

Jurgen Klopp was unhappy with the referee after Liverpool’s defeat to Real Madrid (Picture: BT Sport)

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he told the referee he was ‘unfair’ with Sadio Mane and appeared to have a ‘personal’ problem with the forward during Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

The Reds slipped to a 3-1 defeat in Spain on Tuesday night in a major blow to their hopes of progressing in Europe and salvaging what has been a hugely frustrating season.

Mane was one of a number of Liverpool players to underwhelm against Real Madrid and was booked for dissent in the first half after appearing to argue with the referee following the home side’s second goal.

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But Klopp felt referee Felix Brych was ‘unfair’ towards Mane and told him after the game that he appeared to have a ‘personal’ issue with the Senegal international.

‘The situation with Sadio, I’m not sure what the ref did tonight,’ Klopp said in his post-match interview.

‘It seemed like it was sort of personal. I told him after the game, “I just thought he was unfair with Sadio.” He didn’t lose us the game but you need just an OK ref.’

On Liverpool’s performance, Klopp added: ‘If you want to go to the semi-final, you have to earn the right to do so. We didn’t do that tonight, especially in the first half.

Sadio Mane was booked by referee Felix Brych before half-time (Picture: Getty)

‘The only good thing I can say, apart from the goal, is it’s only the first half of the tie. We just didn’t play good enough football to cause Real Madrid more problems.

‘We made it too easy for them. These mistakes can happen. We didn’t deserve a lot more but that one goal and the second half was OK. It gives us a lifeline.’

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