‘Sorry’! - Jurgen Klopp pokes fun at Newcastle United after Premier League rule change

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has poked fun at Newcastle United following the Premier League rule change that prevents more than one person from standing in front of the technical area.

Magpies head coach Eddie Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall have stood side-by-side on the touchline since beginning their coaching careers at AFC Bournemouth. Asked about the rule change on Friday, Howe admitted it was a blow and even joked Tindall might have to be “chained to the dugout”.

“It’s strange that’s been brought in this season,” said Howe. “From our perspective, that’s a blow… we’ve just worked naturally. There’s been no big plan of ours at the start of our careers to work in the way that we do, it’s just naturally evolved.

“We’ve always had that way of working. When the game’s going on I want to help the players as much as I can and I hope to help rather than hinder them by being close to them and trying to be quite active and vocal. And naturally, he joins in.

“There are certain aspects of the game I ask him to concentrate on and he will then in that moment try to help the players too. Only one of us can do that, it’s just something we’ll have to navigate. I think you’ll see quite a bit of rotation from us on the sidelines.

“I think he’ll feel a natural tendency to want to get forward then be told he probably can’t,” Howe added. “We don’t want to see him get sent off so we’ll have to try and get him chained to the dugout!”

Following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, Klopp was asked for thoughts on the rule change and couldn’t resist a dig at Newcastle. Ther German said: “It’s like that in the Champions League anyway. I think it’s only a problem for one team... Newcastle...”

After a roar of laughter from the Stamford Bridge press room, Klopp smiled and said “sorry!”

The rule was in place for United’s 5-1 opening day win against Aston Villa on Saturday. During the course of the match at St James’ Park, Tindall appeared to be told by fourth official Graham Scott on more one than one occasion to keep his distance from Howe.

“We had some friendly conversations,” Howe revealed after the game. “It is a strange dynamic. It can be a bit petty at times when you are talking inches, but we are just trying to do the best job we can for our players.

“It was managed well today. Me and Jason dovetailed at moments when we felt we needed to.

“The main change is for us not the players. Jason will step forward for set plays and then I will go back to speak to the other staff who are analysing things at a very high pace.”