Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticised referee Chris Kavanagh’s officiating during the Carabao Cup final, stating that Kavanagh lacked the necessary competence for such an important match.
Klopp’s frustration stemmed from Kavanagh’s failure to take action against Moisés Caicedo for his tackle on Ryan Gravenberch, which resulted in the Netherlands international being carried off on a stretcher just 22 minutes into the game against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
Despite replays highlighting the severity of Caicedo’s challenge on Gravenberch’s left ankle, referee Kavanagh allowed play to continue without intervention, and the incident was not reviewed by VAR.
Klopp expressed surprise and disappointment at the officials’ decision not to review the incident, which further compounded Liverpool’s injury woes, with 11 senior players currently sidelined.
“There were two teams fighting very hard, and the referee didn’t have the level of the game,” Klopp said. “It [Caicedo’s challenge] was not even a foul? Then the fourth official explained that we cannot give a card… Good idea.
“This situation was obvious for me—everything you need for a card. They did an x-ray [on Gravenberch]. It is not broken, but the ligaments got something.”
Liverpool are back in action against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday and Klopp said that he could struggle to name a team to face the EFL Championship side.
“We don’t have a team right now for Wednesday,” he said. “The guys who came on can maybe play again; the rest will get treatment on Monday.
“I love this country to bits, but the schedule is not made for winning a lot. We will see the price we have to pay, but if we fight for everything, then we will see what comes next. Somehow, against Southampton, there will be a team in Liverpool shirts.”
Liverpool’s win against Chelsea, sealed by Virgil van Dijk’s 118th-minute headed goal, was the first of four potential trophies for the club in what will be Klopp’s final season as manager.
The contribution of the club’s youngsters was crucial, with three teenagers and two 20-year-olds all involved at some stage.
“What happened here was absolutely insane; these things are not possible,” Klopp said. “The team, a squad, an academy full of character. I am so proud that I could be part of that tonight.
“The craziest thing is we deserved it. We had lucky moments, and they had lucky moments. The boys showed up; it was really cool. We needed fresh legs; they were fresh but very young, but they did the job.”
