Jurgen Klopp told his Wednesday press conference that Aston Villa will be ‘really happy’ that the offside rule was changed following the controversy at Manchester City last week.
The Liverpool boss used Tottenham’s game against his own side from 2018 as an example, when Harry Kane was awarded a penalty when fouled from an offside position, and how Dejan Lovren’s intention to play the ball meant that the Spurs man then became active.
Well, a similar situation occurred at the Etihad last week when Man City beat Villa 2-0, but it was far more ridiculous because Rodri was ten meters offside when he came back into play, dispossessed Tyrone Mings, fed the ball to Bernando Silva who scored.
Following Wednesday’s rule change [Sky Sports], both of the above situations would now be judged to be offside and the goals will be ruled out or the penalty wouldn’t be awarded.
Klopp was asked to share his thoughts on the matter, as he brought up that Tottenham incident from many years ago.
“Aston Villa will be really happy about it, I think,” said Klopp. “My first thought is how can it be that you don’t think about this rule before.
“We had a situation years ago, it was funnily enough against Tottenham when Dejan Lovren had a situation where he hit the ball and Harry Kane could score.
“So, this situation is not the first time – it’s years ago we had that problem. Finally, we changed that. It makes no sense.
“All football people, both sides. The one who scores the goal and the side that concedes the goal are agreed…I am really happy that they have finally changed it.”
Whilst this rule change was needed, it also needs to be remembered that an individual or individuals put this rule in place, so they are the problem also.
That Silva goal just exposed the ridiculous nature of it all and how a player can be ruled offside because of their heal in another game yet such a goal could stand.
Nonetheless, whilst that’s one illogical rule out of the way, there are plenty of others to dwell on and both Mourinho and Klopp will be hoping none of them rear their ugly heads tonight.
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