WATCH: Klopp has a dig at Mourinho

Manchester - Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp says the touchline spat between him and Jose Mourinho came as a result of the Manchester United mentor's protection of his players.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late goal ensured that the spoils be shared in the Premier League's most hyped matches of the season, after James Milner put the visitors ahead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot.

The magnitude of the game ensured that tensions remained high during the encounter as Klopp and Mourinho almost came to blows following an incident involving midfielder Ander Herrera and Roberto Firminio.

"He wanted the minimum of a yellow card, I don't know," Klopp said in post-match comments.

"I think the ref whistled before anything else happened. Roberto is a footballer from head to toe and he wanted to stay in the game. That was a yellow card for Herrera and nothing else.

"In the end it was a yellow card for the guy who wanted to play football. It could have been even worse if someone wants to see it again and all that stuff. We [Klopp and Mourinho] could not have the same opinion in this moment," he added.

The former Borussia Dortmund mentor also revealed that it was difficult to counter United's aerial threat, but still felt his side deserved to win on the day.

"I hoped we would have a bit of luck, unfortunately not but all good. Tomorrow I can enjoy the result, but tonight only the performance," he said.

"It is so intense. They play long balls, it was a wild game. There was a lot of action in the last few minutes. We were here to win the game which is why we are not 100% satisfied."