Liverpool release statement and slam PGMOL after VAR controversy in Tottenham loss
Liverpool have officially released a statement and slammed VAR’s decision to rule out Luis Diaz’s onside goal in Saturday’s loss at Tottenham.
Jurgen Klopp’s side fell short at North London against Tottenham Hotspur after they were reduced to nine-men. However, the result could’ve been very different if Diaz’s goal would’ve stand.
Curtis Jones was sent off just before the half-hour mark, and even after being down to 10 men, Klopp’s side were able to take the lead through Luis Diaz in the 34th minute.
However, after the goal was ruled out, the replays showed that the Columbian was well on side. VAR Darren England confirmed that his check of the decision was complete thinking that referee Simon Hooper had given the goal, with PGMOL claiming ‘significant human error’ led to Liverpool not taking the lead.
Moreover, once the referee orders play to restart, the decision following a VAR review cannot be reversed.
Liverpool issue statement on VAR failures
The statement read: “Liverpool Football Club acknowledges PGMOL’s admission of their failures last night. It is clear that the correct application of the laws of the game did not occur, resulting in sporting integrity being undermined.
“We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR.
“It is therefore unsatisfactory that sufficient time was not afforded to allow the correct decision to be made and that there was no subsequent intervention.
“That such failings have already been categorised as ‘significant human error’ is also unacceptable. Any and all outcomes should be established only by the review and with full transparency.
“This is vital for the reliability of future decision-making as it applies to all clubs with learnings being used to make improvements to processes in order to ensure this kind of situation cannot occur again.
“In the meantime, we will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”
