Pep to take charge of Liverpool as Premier League ban Klopp

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be missing from the dugout as four of his players say their final farewell to fans at the famous Anfield on Saturday.

The German tactician has been handed a two-match ban for criticising referee Paul Tierney and will sit out the game against the Villains

The encounter against Villa will be the last home game for four of his players Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with Klopp set to miss the farewell party.

The two-match ban will see Klopp sit out of the game this weekend with the second suspended until the end of the season.

It follows the altercation between the former Borussia Dortmund boss and referee Tierney during the seven-goal thriller against Tottenham last month.

The 56-year-old accused the official of saying something unacceptable after he was given a yellow card for celebrating Diogo Jota’s winner in the face of the fourth official.

However, the claim was refuted by the referee’s body, PGMOL, prompting an investigation from the Football Association.

After their investigation, Klopp was found guilty of “improper conduct and questioning the integrity of the referee.

Subsequently, the FA has now handed the Liverpool boss a two-match ban, with Klopp also fined £75, 000 for bringing the game into disrepute as per Daily Mail.

Klopp’s ban is a big blow in their quest to qualify for the Champions League next season.

In the absence of the former Champions League winner, his assistant Pep Lijnders will take charge of the Reds against the Villains.

An in-form Aston Villa side who have looked rejuvenated under the coaching guidance of PL manager of the season nominee, Unai Emery, are their guests on Saturday.

Liverpool currently sit fifth on the log, just a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United who occupy the last Champions League spot.