Controversial moment 'match official' celebrates Liverpool winner

Rival fans have questioned footage showing a mystery man, wearing a Premier League match official jacket, apparently celebrating Liverpool’s last minute winner against Tottenham.

Tottenham conceded an own goal in the 89th minute of play against Liverpool to hand the Reds a vital win in the title race with Manchester City.

The charismatic Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp celebrated the winner in an unusually calm manner as he strolled down the touchline.

But as cameras followed him, eagle eye viewers noticed a man – wearing an official EA Sports match official jacket – sitting on the bench smiling and fist pumping.

Many Manchester City fans and rival supporters were quick to jump on social media to question the footage.

Reports suggested the man was not an official but a masseur, provided to the officials on matchday, according to The Mirror Football.

‘Won’t stop fighting’

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his side won’t stop fighting for the Premier League title after their dramatic victory over Tottenham sent them back to the summit.

The Merseysiders were far from their best at Anfield and looked set for just a point when Lucas Moura cancelled out Roberto Firmino’s first-half header.

However, a stoppage-time own goal from Toby Alderweireld following an error by Hugo Lloris secured a dramatic three points for the Reds.

The win moves Liverpool two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, though Pep Guardiola’s side can return to the summit with a victory over Cardiff in their game in hand on Wednesday.

Klopp was fined earlier this season when he ran onto the pitch to celebrate another stoppage-time goal against Everton, but his celebrations were much more muted on this occasion.

Speaking about his reaction, the German told Sky Sports: “I was relatively calm because it was a surprise, that situation. I saw the header and nothing else. I had no clue how the ball went in.

“I was not happy we conceded but I thought we needed it a little bit. In the first half, we had fantastic chances and scored a wonderful goal. In the second half, we looked heavy and couldn’t really play. They changed only a little bit. We didn’t adapt well.

“After Spurs’ goal we started playing again more. We had bigger chances. We compete with the best team in the world [Manchester City] and play against one of the best in the world in Tottenham – it is a tough task. It is all good.

“We can play better football but in the first half, we had a lot of good moments. In the second not that many but we scored – 2-1, brilliant!”

Liverpool moved onto 79 points with the win, their best tally after 32 games since 1988.

With AAP