Jurgen Klopp called out by World Cup winner after dragging Arsenal into Germany row

Jurgen Klopp has been slammed by Emmanuel Petit for his bold claim about Germany’s disallowed goal against Paraguay.

The four-time World Cup winners were denied a second goal by VAR during their round of 32 defeat on Monday.

AFP

Julian Nagelsmann’s side were beaten on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Boston.

Jonathan Tah thought he had grabbed the winner after heading in from a corner during extra-time.

However, a VAR review overturned the on-field decision for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill by Waldemar Anton.

Germany went on to lose a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time ever after misses from Tah, Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade.

Meanwhile, it extended their woeful recent record at the tournament.

Since winning their fourth World Cup in 2014, Germany have failed to reach the last 16 at the previous three finals.

Following the match, Klopp compared the foul by Anton to Arsenal’s set-piece tactics during their Premier League title triumph last term.

Speaking on MagentaTV’s World Cup coverage, he claimed: “If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60 per cent of their goals that way.”

The Gunners scored 25 set-piece goals in the Premier League last season.

Those equated to 35 per cent of their total 71 goals scored over the course of 38 matches.

Getty

Petit hits back

Former Arsenal midfielder Petit took the chance to call out Klopp for bringing his old club into the debate.

The World Cup winner joined the World Cup Breakfast on Tuesday to reflect on Monday’s action.

When told Klopp’s remarks, Petit asked: “Why are you putting Arsenal on the table? We’re talking about the World Cup.”

He continued: “Because I have no idea, no clue why he links what happened yesterday with Arsenal.”

Justifying why Germany’s disallowed effort differed to those goals scored by Arsenal, Petit added: “The rules during the World Cup, international games are not exactly what you can expect of English games.

“Referees here in the Premier League are not the same as when you come into the World Cup or European competition.”

talkSPORT

Petit spent three years with Arsenal as a player between 1997 and 2000.

During that time, he made 118 appearances for the Gunners as well as winning four trophies.

Those included a Premier League and FA Cup double during his debut season in England.

Petit was also a member of the France squads which triumphed at both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.