'I worked with David Coote – this is what he's really like after X-rated Liverpool rant'

Former Premier League referee Peter Walton was left stunned by a video purportedly showing top-flight official David Coote calling Jurgen Klopp a “c***”. Walton regards Coote as one of the more mild-mannered officials and believes the clip shows a 42-year-old “trying to be someone he is not”.

The video, which appears to have been filmed several years ago, allegedly shows Coote embarking on a foul-mouthed rant about then-Liverpool boss Klopp. Despite suggestions that the referee did not believe the man in the footage was him, the Mirror reports that he has taken accountability. However, it is said that he does not remember the incident taking place.

Walton, who now provides referee analysis for several broadcasters, was left shocked after seeing the video. He says that while some referees are known for their “laddish” behaviour away from matches, Coote is more reserved and even “hung-up”. The duo worked together on several matches towards the end of the veteran official’s career.

“What evidence we have now, the video itself, came as a huge surprise to me. There are some Premier League referees I consider more loose-lipped, and more laddish in their behaviour away from the public spotlight. David is not one of them,” Walton wrote in The Times.

“I would have described him as captain sensible, maybe a bit highly strung at times, and not one of the lads. Unlike some referees, you rarely see him laughing and joking with players during matches — he is generally very straight-laced. I look at the video and wonder if part of the problem is that he is trying to be someone he is not.

“He is 42 now, so under normal circumstances potentially has another ten years of Premier League refereeing ahead of him. I worked with him towards the end of my career, when he was on his way up and would be my fourth official.”

Walton went on to add: “I wouldn’t call him a safe pair of hands because there are only two or three present referees who are that, but normally you know what to expect from David.”

Coote, who also allegedly described a Liverpool performance he oversaw as fourth official as “s***”, has been suspended by the PGMOL. The footage was first shared on social media platform X by a Liverpool fan.

An investigation to establish the facts is underway. Coote was in charge of Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.