Jurgen Klopp has claimed the Anfield pitch was a factor in Liverpool’s goalless draw with Southampton.
A stalemate against Claude Puel’s side helped the Reds retain their third-place standing in the Premier League table but also intensified pressure on them.
Manchester United could move to within a point of Liverpool if they overcome Arsenal while both they and Manchester City have game in hand on their rivals.
But Klopp believes that the playing surface played a part in his side’s inability to break down the Saints despite winning a penalty which James Milner missed.
He said: “I know nobody wants to hear it but I am brave enough to say it – the pitch was really dry.
“We gave all the water we had and then, after 15 minutes, it was really dry [with] the wind and it was difficult.
“You could see it [with] a lot of passes, you thought ‘why are they playing this?’ but it was difficult.
“In a possession game, you need to have if possible, in a home game especially, the best circumstances. Today we couldn’t have this.
“That’s nobody’s fault, it’s only a description.”
Klopp also alleged that fourth official Anthony Taylor was unable to challenge a number of decisions given against his side due to a breakdown in technology.
The Liverpool manager cited a corner kick not awarded when a Southampton player deflected an Emre Can shot out of play during the first half.
“We had three, four situations which the fourth official saw exactly like we did,” added Klopp.
“For example, the shot from Emre was a clear corner but the headset didn’t work anymore and I thought maybe he could have given another sign.
“It was a clear corner but that’s how it is. It was very emotional as you can imagine.
“We had a few situations, not decisive but obviously wrong with throw-ins and all that stuff, ltitle things which we could see.
“When the headset doesn’t work, obviously they have no contact – that was all.”