David Coote suspended as PGMOL probes 'leaked' X-rated Liverpool video

David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect after a video surfaced in which he appeared to call Jurgen Klopp a 'c***' and described Liverpool as 's***'.

A PGMOL statement said: "David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. PGMOL will be making no further comment until that process is complete."

In the video, the person in the video alleged to be Coote says: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown, then he (Klopp) accused me of lying and then just had a right f****** pop at me. I’ve got no interest at speaking to someone who’s f****** arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him... My God, German c***, fuck me.”

• Full transcript: What David Coote allegedly said about Jurgen Klopp

• Liverpool injury latest and return dates including Trent Alexander-Arnold update

The person in the video accompanying the person who is alleged to be Coote goes on to give his summary of the conversation, saying: “Long story short: Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f****** b******s and we hate Scousers.”

A shorter video, clearly recorded after the initial conversation, sees Coote appear to say: “Just to be clear, that last video can’t go anywhere, seriously,” he says. The other man in the video says: “He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad."

In the video, which has not had its authenticity verified, Coote makes reference to a match between Liverpool and Burnley in July 2020, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Liverpool was on a 24-match winning run at Anfield heading into the game and had been confirmed as Premier League champions several weeks prior to the match.

Andy Robertson scored for the Reds in the first half but Jay Rodriguez equalized for Burnley in the second half, and Klopp was critical of Coote's performance in a post-match TV interview.

“The referee let lots of challenges go so it was clear that if the ball comes into the box it was dangerous," Klopp said. "We were angry with the referee but we have to criticize ourselves first for not finishing the game."