Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect after footage appeared to show him making misguided criticism of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp appeared on social media.

Two videos have been shared which purportedly capture Coote, 42, calling Klopp “damn arrogant” and “a German”.

It is currently unclear whether the footage is legitimate or when it was taken, but the content, widely circulated on Monday afternoon, is now the subject of an investigation by PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing in English football.

The video is believed to have been filmed during the 2020–21 season with a PGMOL source with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicating that Coote did not deny being filmed.

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A PGMOL statement said: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will not make any further comment until the process is complete.”

The first video, apparently filmed on a phone and running for a minute, sees Coote asked for his opinion on an unspecified Liverpool game and then manager Klopp.

Of Liverpool he says “damn” before adding: “Apart from giving me a fair look when I umpired against him. Burnley in isolation.

“He accused me of lying and then turned on me. I have no interest in talking to someone who is so damn arrogant. I try my best not to talk to him. (James) Milner is fine. I agree with Milner.

“You see me there with a mask on. Social distance – 10 meters from each other. But my God, fuck me.

A second, shorter video has been attached that emphasizes the importance of not sharing the first clip.

Footage has emerged which appears to show Coote criticizing Klopp (Phil Noble/Pool via Getty Images)

Coote has been a Select One referee, the UK’s highest level, since the 2018-19 season, having overseen his first Premier League match the previous campaign.

He has taken charge of six Premier League games this season, most recently refereeing Liverpool’s 2-0 win on Saturday. Aston Villa at Anfield.

Liverpool are aware of the video in question but have yet to comment publicly.

What is Liverpool’s history with Coote?

By Liverpool Correspondent James Pearce

Liverpool have had a number of high-profile clashes with Coote in recent years.

Back to December last year and Jurgen Klopp was furious that Coote, who was on VAR duty, did not advise referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the pitchside monitor after Arsenalhis Martin Odegaard handled the ball inside the box.

The crunch clash between two Premier League rivals ended 1-1 at Anfield.

Klopp said: “I’m pretty sure someone will come and explain to me why it wasn’t a handball, but I don’t know how?”

Referees boss Howard Webb later admitted that Coote had made an error and that the penalty should have been awarded.

Webb told Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up: “All the feedback I got afterwards was very clear – the game expects a penalty in this situation and I would agree. This is one where we didn’t reach the right result on that basis.”

Coote was also the VAR when Everton GOALKEEPER Jordan Pickfordhis challenge to the Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk went unpunished in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in October 2020.

Van Dijk tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and was ruled out for nine months. Klopp was perplexed why Coote did not urge referee Michael Oliver to take action against Pickford after seeing the replays.

(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)