Jurgen Klopp Pitch Criticism 'As Pathetic as It Gets,' Says Garth Crooks

BBC pundit Garth Crooks did not mince his words when discussing Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's criticism of West Bromwich Albion's pitch after their 2-2 draw on Saturday in the Premier League.

Goals from Jake Livermore and Salomon Rondon saw the Baggies come from 2-0 down at the Hawthorns, and Klopp expressed his displeasure with their pitch after the match, per Sky Sports PL:

"

WATCH: @LFC manager Jurgen Klopp was not happy that @WBA did not water the pitch at half-time! 

Watch his interview in full here: https://t.co/Mta5nNw9YK https://t.co/0TxC4pEjJ0

— Sky Sports PL (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2018"

He added:

Former West Brom, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City striker Crooks took issue with the German's comments when discussing his inclusion of Reds' goalscorer Mohamed Salah in his team of the week column for BBC Sport.

"Salah's goal at West Brom on Saturday was another exquisite chip beyond the advancing Ben Foster," he wrote. "However, Jurgen Klopp's suggestion that the Albion pitch not being watered at half-time was somehow responsible for his team losing a two-goal lead is about as pathetic as it gets."

Matt Wilson of the Express and Star was also critical of Klopp's less-than-magnanimous discussion of the match:

It's not the first time the manager has appeared to blame a poor result on the conditions. In January last year, he partly attributed Liverpool's defeat to Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final to the wind at Anfield.

Given that in both situations the circumstances were the same for both sides, one area of improvement for the Reds could be to become better at adapting to adverse conditions.

Liverpool still look assured of a top-four place in the Premier League despite dropping two points, but they'll want to finish as high as possible.

The result was also far from ideal preparation for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Roma on Tuesday.

Klopp may have publicly deflected blame away from his side for their collapse on Saturday, but in private, he'll need to address the issues that saw them concede two late goals if he's to maximise their chances of progressing in Europe.