Jurgen Klopp launches scathing verdict on referee Chris Kavanagh and fans think he ‘snubbed’ handshake after Liverpool win

A jubilant Jurgen Klopp was revelling in the celebrations of a Carabao Cup victory, but still had a word or two to say about the referee’s performance.

Klopp ensured his final season at Liverpool would end with silverware as his side beat Chelsea 1-0 in extra-time.

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It was a memorable final, with the Reds managing to get over the line with a number of youngsters called into action amid their injury crisis.

That was also in spite of decisions that went against them in the match from referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR team.

Firstly, there was the challenge from Moises Caicedo on Ryan Gravenberch.

The midfielder was stretchered off the pitch after a nasty challenge from the Chelsea man, but not even a foul was given.

Then Liverpool were left fuming after thinking Virgil van Dijk had won it when he powered home a header at the far post from Robertson’s free-kick.

However, VAR asked Kavanagh to go to the monitor to rule on an offside Endo’s role in blocking Levi Colwill and he decided the centre-back would have had a chance of reaching Van Dijk.

Klopp told Sky Sports: “There were two teams who were fighting extremely hard and the referee did not have the level of the game. That’s how it is, I’m sorry for that. Everybody saw that.

“It was not even a foul on Gravenberch?! He didn’t even whistle a foul. The fourth official says to me, ‘we cannot give a card because [he didn’t whistle for foul]’. Oh, good.

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“I’m not sure if these boys are too quick for them, but this situation, for me, is obvious. The doctor saw it on the video and saw just the foot stepping on the ankle. That’s everything you need for a card.

“They did an x-ray, it is not broken but the ligaments got something. I actually feel really bad, but all the rest was brilliant.”

Fans also think they spotted Klopp snubbing a handshake with the referee after the final whistle.

A clip has gone viral on social media that people claim shows the Liverpool boss passing over Kavanagh’s hand.

However, it is not clear if he did ignore the official’s hand given the speed at which he shook the others and Kavanagh’s reaction, plus those of his colleagues, suggest there was no malice from the Liverpool boss in that moment.