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Liverpool's Disappointing Season Is Still Over Shadowed By VAR
There is no denying that it has not been a great season for Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp given our exploits in recent years and the close battles that we have had with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side.
Bedding in a few new players, allied to our exertions in previous years, has unfortunately caught up with us this year, but although the 2022/23 Premier League campaign goes down as disappointing, it has not been a disaster and European football has still been secured for next year and for those who like a flutter you would no doubt get decent odds on us rebounding properly next season.
Klopp can still go out on a high with victory over Southampton on the final day of the season next weekend, but as we prepare for that game, there continues to be fall out from last weekend's score draw with Aston Villa at Anfield.
With our German gaffer serving a touchline ban, the game was not without controversy. Villa were awarded a penalty, but missed it. Liverpool believe Tyrone Mings should have seen a straight red and we also had a Cody Gakpo goal disallowed before Roberto Firmino finally grabbed our equaliser in the 89th minute.
As for the Video Assistant Referee disallowed goal in the 55th minute, a Premier League statement confirmed.
"Virgil Van Dijk was in an offside position from Luis Diaz's header. The VAR recommended a review, and referee John Brooks determined it was a deflection off Ezri Konsa, not a deliberate play."
Dutchman Van Dijk however, was left confused as he met with the media following the final whistle.
"I didn't understand what was going on at all. I asked fourth official Michael Oliver on the side of the pitch, and apparently it was a question if the Villa player deliberately knocked it back or something, but I have no idea, yes or no. I think it would be good if next season we can hear what they (the officials) discuss, everyone around it, and be transparent."
Given the continuing confusion and often illogical and contradictory decisions taken by VAR on almost identical in game scenarios again this season, Liverpool's concerns here simply build on a massive backlog of issues raised by almost every member club in the division this year.
VAR was introduced on the premise of 'clear and obvious errors' - this should not mean teams should still expect dodgy and contentious decisions to even themselves out over a season and football is very much still in that place despite the extra millions that have been spent on a technology that either does not work, or is continually failed by the very people who failed to make correct decisions before VAR was introduced.
I imagine Liverpool may well be waiting a long time before they get a sensible answer from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited group to the issues they raised.
Bedding in a few new players, allied to our exertions in previous years, has unfortunately caught up with us this year, but although the 2022/23 Premier League campaign goes down as disappointing, it has not been a disaster and European football has still been secured for next year and for those who like a flutter you would no doubt get decent odds on us rebounding properly next season.
Klopp can still go out on a high with victory over Southampton on the final day of the season next weekend, but as we prepare for that game, there continues to be fall out from last weekend's score draw with Aston Villa at Anfield.
With our German gaffer serving a touchline ban, the game was not without controversy. Villa were awarded a penalty, but missed it. Liverpool believe Tyrone Mings should have seen a straight red and we also had a Cody Gakpo goal disallowed before Roberto Firmino finally grabbed our equaliser in the 89th minute.
As for the Video Assistant Referee disallowed goal in the 55th minute, a Premier League statement confirmed.
"Virgil Van Dijk was in an offside position from Luis Diaz's header. The VAR recommended a review, and referee John Brooks determined it was a deflection off Ezri Konsa, not a deliberate play."
Dutchman Van Dijk however, was left confused as he met with the media following the final whistle.
"I didn't understand what was going on at all. I asked fourth official Michael Oliver on the side of the pitch, and apparently it was a question if the Villa player deliberately knocked it back or something, but I have no idea, yes or no. I think it would be good if next season we can hear what they (the officials) discuss, everyone around it, and be transparent."
Given the continuing confusion and often illogical and contradictory decisions taken by VAR on almost identical in game scenarios again this season, Liverpool's concerns here simply build on a massive backlog of issues raised by almost every member club in the division this year.
VAR was introduced on the premise of 'clear and obvious errors' - this should not mean teams should still expect dodgy and contentious decisions to even themselves out over a season and football is very much still in that place despite the extra millions that have been spent on a technology that either does not work, or is continually failed by the very people who failed to make correct decisions before VAR was introduced.
I imagine Liverpool may well be waiting a long time before they get a sensible answer from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited group to the issues they raised.
Written by Alan Spencer
