Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp led the praise for history-making referee Stephanie Frappart after her performance in the European Super Cup final.
The Frenchwoman became the first female referee to officiate a major men’s European match, as Liverpool defeated Chelsea 5-4 on penalties after an entertaining clash had ended 2-2 after extra time.
Frappart, who took charge of the Women’s World Cup final in July, was supported by an all-female team of assistants: France’s Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neill of the Republic of Ireland.
“I told the ref team after the game that if we would have played like they whistled, we would have won 6-0,” Klopp said to Liverpool’s official website. “That was my absolute opinion. They played a brilliant game.
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“I told her as well that I am not happy with the penalty decision because I’m still not sure that it was a penalty, but it’s not important anymore.”
The German coach was referring to the penalty awarded to Chelsea for a foul on striker Tammy Abraham, which allowed Jorginho to equalize in the 101st minute.
In arguably the game’s only moment of contention, Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian admitted he “touched him” but believed Abraham was “was looking for” the penalty.
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“They were really good,” Klopp added of the officials. “Whatever you could have thought before the game, there was pressure on them like hell with an historic moment.
“Staying by yourself, staying calm and do what you have to do, decide very important things in a very difficult and intense game, I couldn’t have more respect, to be honest. It was really a brilliant performance.”
