Jurgen Klopp has questioned why the BBC would ask Gary Lineker to step down amid the broadcaster's ongoing impartiality crisis.
The BBC have temporarily axed Match of the Day host Lineker after he criticised the government's controversial Illegal Migration Bill and questioned the language Conservative politicians use towards refugees. This has led to a boycott by Lineker's BBC colleagues.
Saturday night's edition of Match of the Day will be broadcasted without a studio presentation, while the BBC were forced to scrap Football Focus and Final Score altogether due to the lack of willing pundits. Klopp is bemused why the BBC would take such action.
Klopp, who did not complete a post-match interview with the BBC out of solidarity, spoke to the press after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. He was asked about Lineker's axe, which is dominating Saturday's news agenda.
Klopp replied, "That is the world we are living in, everybody is so concerned with doing things in the right manner... if you don’t do that then you create a s***storm. I'm not native, but I cannot see why you would ask someone to step back for saying that."
The BBC's crisis started on Tuesday, when the government unveiled plans to detain migrants who enter the country via illegal routes without bail or judicial review before being deported and blocked from returning. The legislation was condemned by many critics.
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Lineker was among those, as he insisted it was "beyond awful". He then questioned the rhetoric used by the likes of home secretary Suella Braverman and prime minister Rishi Sunak, claiming it was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
Lineker was praised by thousands of people for his brave stance, yet he was also criticised by Conservative MPs and right-wing political commentators. They called for him to be sacked by the BBC, who responded by forcing him to "step back" on Friday evening.
Ian Wright immediately responded by refusing to appear on Saturday night's edition on Match of the Day, with dozens of pundits and commentators following suit. Wright has confirmed he will permanently quit the show if Lineker is not reinstated.
Arsenal legend Wright told the Wrighty's House podcast on Friday night, "Let me tell you something if the BBC do get rid of Gary Lineker I am out. I am gone, I am not staying there... this is so right what he is saying. I have spoken to Gary, I am behind him."
Lineker made his first public appearance since his axe on Saturday morning, when he travelled up to Leicester to watch his former club take on Chelsea in the Premier League. The former England international refused to answer questions from the press.
The BBC have apologised for the chaos the row has caused to their schedule. It is unclear how this will be resolved, as Lineker is unlikely to backtrack on his views. The BBC appear to be appeasing their Tory critics, which brings their impartiality into disrepute.
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.
