Liverpool old boy says Clattenburg comments about Sir Alex are ‘disturbing’

Dietmar Hamann believes recent comments from former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg are “pretty disturbing”.

Clattenburg, who left the Premier League referees rota in February 2017, was responding to the recent comments from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp pointed out earlier this month that Manchester United have had “more penalties in two years than I had in five-and-a-half years”.

Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, the former official claimed that Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are just as bad at trying to win penalties.

Hamann though picked out another comment from Clattenburg which rang alarm bells for the former Reds midfielder.
Clattenburg seemed to admit that referees used to favour United when Ferguson was in charge at the club, stating: “He [Klopp] is wrong to suggest there is an aura around United that sees them given favourable decisions.

“There used to be when Fergie was there, but that has eased massively since he left.”

A comment which has infuriated Hamann.

“Pretty disturbing to hear that from someone who refereed during Ferguson’s reign, admitting there used to be bias towards Man United,” he tweeted.

The two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday with United holding a three-point lead over Liverpool at the summit.

The Red Devils have earned six league spot kicks this season compared to the five won by Liverpool.

However, they have received 42 in all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over in December 2018. That compares to Liverpool’s 19.

Liverpool in De Paul talks

Meanwhile, Liverpool are in negotiations with Rodrigo De Paul as they look for a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum, claims a report.

Wijnaldum’s future at Anfield has been shrouded in doubt since the summer. Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman admitted his interest in the player.

 

Wijnaldum is out of contract in the summer and talks over a new deal at Anfield have not gone smoothly. In fact  Todofijaches, via the Daily Mirror, claimed Wijnaldum had rejected their latest proposal.

They claimed the champions’ latest offer had ‘fallen short of the mark’ and has left him disappointed.

It appears that Jurgen Klopp has taken that on board and has been working on a replacement.

According to Todo Fichajes, Leeds target De Paul is on Liverpool’s radar and  discussions with the player’s ‘environment’ are underway.

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Didi Hamann