Liverpool are CHARGED by FA for surrounding referee in Man City loss

The FA have officially charged Liverpool for their players' actions against Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp's men were thrashed 4-1 by the champions at the Etihad Stadium last week.

After only securing a goalless draw against out-of-form Chelsea on Tuesday, the Reds are ten points off the Champions League spots and are closer on points to bottom side Southampton than to second-placed City.

Liverpool's plight has now worsened, with the club formally charged by English football's governing body in the wake of the rout.

An FA statement said: 'Liverpool FC has been charged after its players surrounded a match official during the 34th minute of their Premier League game against Manchester City FC on Saturday 1 April.

'It's alleged that Liverpool FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or do not behave in a way which is improper, and the club has until Wednesday 12 April to respond.'

In the first half, with the score at 1-1, City midfielder Rodri - who had recently been booked - fouled Cody Gakpo as he looked to break forwards.

The Spaniard could easily have received a second yellow and therefore a red card, but official Simon Hooper decided no further punishment was necessary.

And angry Liverpool players immediately crowded around Hooper, shouting and waving their arms to try to persuade him to give Rodri his marching orders.

Former Premier League referee admitted Rodri could well have been sent off - but added he expects the club to receive a fine for their players' protests.

He said: 'Rodri can count himself lucky Simon Hooper chose to referee the game in a lenient way because on another day his first half challenge on Cody Gakpo could have resulted in him getting a second yellow card for denying a promising attack.

'The players surrounded the referee and that's not something we want to see.'

Manager Klopp added after the match: 'I didn't see (the incident) good enough. I realised the situation but could he have got a second yellow?

'Yes, probably. He will not get it now. And yeah I'm not sure we would have won today against ten men.'

While City boss Pep Guardiola will not face further punishment despite seeming to celebrate in the face of two Liverpool substitutes after City scored.

He appeared to rub it in the faces of replacements Kostas Tsimikas and Arthur Melo, but the FA ruled there was not a breach of Rule E3, i.e. acting improperly or bringing the game into disrepute.

In his post-match press conference, Guardiola concluded: 'I was happy and I said "how nice was our goal?" That's all... I'm so sorry. Speak with Tsimikas, speak with Arthur for a lack of respect. Ask him if I lack respect.

'I celebrated the goal. I celebrate with my son on the floor and I come here and I say "the goal was nice, wasn't it?" That's all. I'm so sorry. Do you think it was a lack of respect? Ah okay, I'm sorry.'