The decision to rule out Liverpool’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur put huge pressure on VAR.
Liverpool are at the center of a controversial VAR storm, and once again for all the wrong reasons.
The Reds have received an apology from Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) boss Howard Webb for the decision to rule out Luis Diaz’s goal in light of their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Following Liverpool’s heartbreak, the PGMOL released a statement admitting “significant human error” for excluding potential attacking players.
The Colombian’s attempt was canceled out just minutes after Curtis Jones was sent off, reducing Jurgen Klopp’s side to ten men.
Diaz ran behind the Spurs defense and past Guglielmo Vicario, but the celebration was cut short by the assistant referee’s flag.
The video assistant referee intervened, but the original check was reportedly to confirm Diaz’s goal rather than overturn the initial offside decision.
Liverpool eventually lost 2-1 after Joel Matip’s injury-time own goal, but the hype continued.
The incident is the latest technological mishap to haunt Jürgen Klopp’s team.
Liverpool’s first defeat of the season saw them miss out on the chance to win the Premier League after disappointing Manchester City earlier in the day.
Wolverhampton Wanderers stunned the reigning champions with goals from Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan as they defeated Pep Guardiola’s side with a 2-1 win. Luis Diaz attempt wrongly denied – Tottenham Hotspur (A) W 2-1 (September 2023)
Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead but was denied by the assistant referee’s flag. It later emerged that the Reds’ planned departure had been wrongly acknowledged.
First red card for Alexis Mac Allister – AFC Bournemouth (H) W 3-1 (August 2023)
Alexis Mac Allister received a straight red card on his Liverpool home debut against AFC Bournemouth.
Mac Allister caught Ryan Christie on a loose ball and was ejected. No VAR intervention. The Argentine midfielder’s red card was overturned days later.
Tyrone Mings avoids retroactive action – Aston Villa (H) P 1-1 (May 2023)
Tyrone Mings avoided being sent off against Liverpool despite hitting Cody Gakpo in the chest with a high boot. No VAR intervention. (Image: Liverpool FC 3 of 15
Unintentional deflection – Aston Villa (H) P 1-1 (May 2023)
Cody Gakpo thought he had equalized for Liverpool in their Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Pursuing their slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, the Reds were forced to beat the Midlands club. Virgil van Dijk headed towards goal, deflected by Ezri Konsa and Gakpo finished.
At the time, the ECHO understood this as officials considered Van Dijk to be offside after Luis Diaz’s header across the penalty area and Ezri Konsa’s subsequent touch was considered a distraction rather than as an intentional game. 4 of 15
“Won the ball” – Tottenham Hotspur (M) 4:3 (April 2023)
Oliver Skipp avoided any further action by lunging at Liverpool striker Luis Diaz.
The incident happened during Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 win, when they blew a three-goal lead and Diogo Jota had to score the winner in stoppage time.
Skipp was lucky to avoid a red card for tackling Diaz. At the time, the ECHO understands that VAR officials believed Skipp “clearly” had the ball and that the final contact was simply the result of the two players competing for the ball.5 of 15
treatment, but the goal remained.
Darwin Nunez’s goal was decided
away – Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) W 2-0 (March 2023)
Darwin Nunez overtook Jose Sa after a thrilling run from Diogo Jota. The ball twisted to Nunez, who finished with ease. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to a foul by Jota on Max Kilman. Jota is said to have tripped Kilman when he fell to the ground. A free kick was awarded to Wolves. 6 of 15
VAR loophole – Arsenal (A) L 2-1 (October 2022)
In October 2022, Liverpool had a tendency to concede early goals – sound familiar? They fell behind to Arsenal after a goal within a minute from Gabriel Martinelli. Bukayo Saka was apparently offside during the build-up.
However, it was later claimed that none of the five cameras could see Saka after the pass. This meant that offside lines could not be drawn. (Image: BBC)7 of 15
Harry Kane avoids red card for Robertson challenge – Tottenham Hotspur (A) D 2-2 (December 2021)
Tottenham Hotspur captain Harry Kane has avoided serious consequences after a reckless attack on Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
Kane cut in on the Scotland international and caught Robertson late on the follow-through after the ball had been played.
At the time, The Athletic reported that the main reason VAR didn’t punish Kane more was because Robertson was jumping when he made a mistake.
Jurgen Klopp was outraged by the incident and Robertson was subsequently sent off for a challenge on Emerson Royal. 8 of 15
Jurgen Klopp furious at James Maddison goal – Leicester City (A) L 3-1 (February 2021)
James Maddison scored in bizarre fashion for Leicester City after one of the most confusing VAR reviews to date. The playmaker took a free kick from the corner of the box, with three Foxes players initially ruled offside.
His free kick went through everyone and landed in the bottom corner. The VAR checked it before it was finally given.
Jürgen Klopp was not happy with the decision. He said: “Everything is fine and then penalty, free kick, offside, not offside, goal.” It had quite an effect.
This is something that needs to change. The first goal is offside for me.
The difference is that we think it’s an objective thing, but it’s not. “Leicester had three players offside but it was decided to postpone the match again.” This is how it is.” 9 of 15
‘3D lines not required’ – Tottenham Hotspur (H) W 2-1 (December 2020)
Heung-min Son controversially scored against Liverpool when 3D lines were not drawn by VAR officials. The VAR check was completed within a minute as it was determined that Son had not committed offside.
“The calibrated line was drawn from the furthest point forward of Liverpool defender Rhys Williams, his left foot, which showed that Son was behind him when the ball was played,” the team said in a statement. PGMOL. “Since both players’ feet were furthest forward and planted on the ground, the 3D lines were unnecessary.” 10 of 15
Mohamed Salah leaves frustrated – Brighton & Hove Albion P 1-1 (November 2020)
Mohamed Salah found the back of the net against Brighton & Hove Albion after setting up and beating Mat Ryan.
However, the VAR lines were drawn and analyzed how marginally the Egyptian was behind the Seagulls’ defence. 11 of 15
Let AMEX Stadium Drama – Brighton & Hove Albion D 1-1 (November 2020)
Liverpool became even more frustrated at the AMEX Stadium when Andy Robertson was adjudged to have fouled Danny Welbeck.
The Reds came close to three points when the hosts were awarded a penalty. A loose ball was won by Robertson, but caught by the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker.
VAR intervened and, to Robertson’s fury, the penalty was awarded and Pascal Gross converted. 12 of 15
VAR denies derby joy – Everton (A) P 2-2 (October 2020)
Jordan Henderson thought he had won the Merseyside derby for Liverpool against rivals Everton. Thiago superbly found Sadio Mané, who launched the Reds captain before the net burst.
However, VAR intervened and determined that Mané was offside despite appearing in the correct order.
Henderson suggested that those who exploit the technology change the lines. He said: “With VAR there has to be offside, that’s what everyone wants.”
I think sometimes they bend the lines to create offside. I don’t know how they do it, I’ve seen it before. ” 13 of 15
Jordan Pickford escapes action – Everton (A) D 2-2 (October 2020)
Liverpool were denied a penalty despite Jordan Pickford’s rash tackle on Virgil van Dijk. There was initially some confusion over the incident and it was suggested that Van Dijk was previously offside.
Although VAR intervened regarding a possible penalty, the Dutchman was found to be offside. Van Dijk would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. 14 of 15
Divock Origi foul leads to United goal – Manchester United (A) draw 1-1 (October 2019)
Liverpool players surrounded referee Martin Atkinson after Marcus Rashford’s first game for Manchester City. Victor Lindelof appeared to pass through Divock Origi’s shoulders to win the ball.
United retained possession and got in through the right cross, where Rashford beat Alisson. VAR intervened while Origi was undergoing treatment, but the goal stood. 15 of 15
