Over the top or justified - Does Jurgen Klopp deserve a ban for his actions?

It’s the 95th minute of the Merseyside derby, 0-0. Tensions run high as the supporters in blue whistle towards the referee in-an-attempt to get him to blow for full time. Instead, he gives Liverpool a free kick just inside their own half, the Kop willing on Trent Alexander-Arnold to smash the ball into the box. Goalkeeper Alisson comes forward and taps the ball forward to offer the young right back a better angle for the cross, which is headed away poorly as it lands on Van Dijk’s laces, only for him to mishit the ball and launch it high into the air. Liverpool fans moan collectively as the ball slowly makes its way down towards the pitch again.

Suddenly, something seems odd. The ball is heading straight for the crossbar and Pickford doesn’t look confident. The Everton keeper cannot catch the ball and it bounces twice on the woodwork, comes back onto the green and Divock Origi nods home from less than five yards out. Pandemonium filled with pure ecstasy pours from the majority of Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp goes berserk, he sprints out of his technical area, onto the turf and jumps into the arms of his goalkeeper. He then, almost just as quickly, runs back towards the bench to celebrate with his coaching staff. Some will say that was too much and completely unprofessional, others will say he epitomized what football should be.

It is often argued that there is not as much passion in football nowadays, with fans cut off from players during celebrations, media interviews becoming monotonous and ticket prices leaving some people behind. So, when an employee of a football club displays their absolute joy for their team it can feel unexpected and even unwarranted. Jose Mourinho is the perfect example and victim of this, and Jurgen Klopp is the perfect example of how to get away with it.

Firstly, was it wrong for Klopp to leave his box and celebrate with Alisson? Technically, yes. He broke the rules, and if left his area during normal time, in the middle of an ordinary game he would most likely have received a warning.

But this was not an ordinary game and referees have been known to be inconsistent with decisions when raw emotion is involved. If the FA are going to be consistent with their punishments then Klopp should be charged and an investigation should be held.

Realistically, the blame should be aimed at the referee for not enforcing the rules when Klopp gave him the chance to do so, as it is not the manager’s fault for not being punished.

Secondly, would another manager have been punished if they had done it? It is impossible to say, due to most punishments being handed retrospectively after a meeting and with Klopp still at risk of being charged it could end up being a pointless argument to have.

However, many will argue that Mourinho would have been sent to the stands immediately or would have been certain to be given an FA charge, and there is strong evidence to suggest this. The Manchester United manager has been fined for less than what Klopp did.

Recently, Mourinho was charged by the FA for allegedly swearing in Portuguese after the Newcastle game in October, a case that dragged on until November. Understandably, people will say that Mourinho gets harsh treatment and if he had run onto the pitch he would have received an extreme ban, and it is unfair that the Liverpool boss gets away with it.

At the end of the day, football fans deserve to see passion and desire from their club. When a player is booked for celebrating with fans there is uproar against the rule, and most would agree that the rule should not exist.

Is it wrong that fans would be upset over the player getting booked for enjoying the moment with the crowd, yet call for a manager to be punished for hugging his players on the pitch, because they want fairness and consistency?

Jurgen Klopp should be punished due to the rules that the FA have written, but we as fans should not be overjoyed with it. Clubs and players being fined, banned or punished in all sorts of ways for being unable to control their undeniable love for the game should not be celebrated by supporters, because as entertaining as it can be to see club’s other than your own suffer, it could be yours next.

Football is a game for people to demonstrate their excitement, affection, joy and rage. Football needs emotion.