Jurgen Klopp Says BT Sport Was Responsible for Deciding Added Time vs. West Brom

BT Sport decided the amount of time added on during Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday, according to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. 

The German approached fourth official Jon Moss after just four minutes were added onto the end of the first half, despite numerous delays which included the use of the Video Assistant Referee.

According to Klopp, Moss said BT Sport—which broadcasted the game—was responsible. Per the Mirror's David Maddock, he said:

"What I heard was that the actual extra time in the first half should have been 10 minutes. It was only four minutes. I heard that television said it's not longer than four minutes.

"That is the situation, what can I say? Of course that's not possible, you can't cut match time because there is something else to broadcast. I don't know what was afterwards, maybe the news or something.

"It was 10 minutes and so you need to play 10 minutes longer. You cannot say it's now a little bit too long."

It was an action-packed first half, as BBC Sport demonstrated:

However, the Reds manager was right to take issue with the amount of time added on, as talkSPORTDrive revealed on Twitter:

According to Maddock, a spokesman for BT denied Klopp's suggestion and said the company has no power over added time given by the officials.

BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey also took issue with the coach's comments:

It's clear more time was needed during the first half.

Along with the consultation of VAR on three occasions—to disallow Craig Dawson's goal, award the Reds a penalty after Mohamed Salah was fouled and ensure Joel Matip's own goal correctly stood—there were four goals and two substitutions.

Referees typically add 30 seconds on for each goal or substitution, so they should have accounted for around three extra minutes in the half.

As for VAR, it's evident the system can cause lengthy delays to matches, but it was only it's sixth use in English football—it's still in a trial period and teething problems are to be expected, and delays will likely be reduced as the use of it is refined.

Until then, though, it could mean plenty of time needs to be added on during games and officials must allow for that.