Disappointed: ‘I’m honest and I told Jurgen’ – Roberto De Zerbi makes Liverpool penalty claim after touchline disagreement

Roberto De Zerbi concedes Brighton were fortunate to get the free-kick that earned them a 2-2 draw with Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool talking with Roberto De Zerbi manager of Brighton and Hove Albion at the end of the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool FC at American Express Community Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Brighton, England.

Roberto De Zerbi conceded his Brighton team were fortunate to get the free-kick that earned them a 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

But the Seagulls boss feels his side should have had a second-half penalty when Kaoru Mitoma’s wayward strike appeared to hit Virgil van Dijk on the hand.

Mohamed Salah struck twice to give the visitors a half-time lead after an opener from Simon Adingra but the hosts levelled with just over 10 minutes remaining when Lewis Dunk turned home a free-kick delivery from Solly March.

That set-piece was won by Mitoma who was closed out by a combination of Trent Alexander-Arnold and substitute Ibrahima Konate and De Zerbi accepts he was lucky to see the foul given.

But while the Brighton boss talked up his admiration for Jurgen Klopp, who he branded one of the world’s best coaches, De Zerbi said he disagreed over an incident in the second half when Mitoma’s effort was fired against Reds captain Van Dijk.

“I love Klopp,” De Zerbi said. “He can do what he wants because I have a big respect and I consider him one of the best coaches in the world. I like his behaviour and when he says something, 99% of the time I agree with him. In that situation I think there was a clear penalty and I told the referee in a good way I think.