The Facts- Liverpool denied by a ‘Spurs fan in VAR’ The Anfield Wrap

Another game ruined by VAR as Liverpool denied by a ‘Spurs fan in VAR’ after a game where 3 major VAR decisions were all wrong and against Liverpool. LFC are exploring the potential of further legal and non-legal actions against the PGMOL, whom they believe have an agenda against LFC and Jurgen Klopp.

What happened in the game – The Var Controversy

In a game filled with VAR drama, Liverpool found themselves on the wrong side of three highly debated decisions, two red cards, and a disallowed goal. Causing frustration among players and fans and sparking a wider conversation about the use of VAR in the Premier League.

The match exposed a concerning aspect of the Premier League— the lack of open dialogue between managers, players, and referees when it comes to VAR decisions. This issue only exacerbates the challenges facing the sport.

Whilst trying to choose his words carefully, and holding back his frustrations Jurgen Klopp said his side’s defeat came in “the most unfair circumstances” with “crazy decisions. That is not offside when you see it,” he told Sky Sports.

On BBC MOTD he went on to say “if you want to make changes, you have to do it without our voices, because if we do it then we get fined.”

“The ball is between Mo [Salah]’s legs, they drew the line wrong and didn’t judge the moment when Mo passed the ball right.”

Howard Webb, currently serving his second season as the PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, has been vocal about the need for referees to take responsibility for their decisions to enhance transparency within the organization. However, Webb’s efforts have not fully addressed the ongoing controversies surrounding VAR.

Reports suggest that Webb reached out to Liverpool immediately after the match, though he stopped short of issuing a formal apology. This latest error has put additional pressure on all parties involved and tested their credibility.

Speaking on Sky Sports after Saturday’s game, Gary Neville said of the Díaz decision: “That is unbelievable. That is a bad one. They said [in the statement], ‘significant’. That is very significant.”

Gary Neville on Sky Sports

Liverpool denied by a ‘Spurs fan in VAR’

Liverpool supporters increasingly feel that their team is not only competing against their opponents but also battling a perceived bias against them, particularly when it comes to red card decisions.

Everyone will have read or watched something online about the controversies in the game but the fact remains these errors were all moderated in a prejudicial way.

But this has become the tipping point, LFC fans felt there was an agenda against them before Saturday’s game, the treatment of Mo Salah, the imbalance of fouls given against them compared to for them, and the way the PGMOL want to make an example of Jurgen Klopp for speaking out.

Liverpool Football Club feel like they are against the world at the moment with the red cards and the harsh stance towards Liverpool players by referees.

Tash Dowie Football Daily

LFC against the world as more decisions go against them

Liverpool fans argue that it’s Liverpool’s opposition against the opponent and the corruption at the PGMOL. Even Gary Neville said the Reds fans must think “It’s LFC against the world”.

The controversy surrounding VAR’s decisions against Liverpool has given rise to speculation about possible corruption within the PGMOL. Notably, LFC has received four incorrect red card decisions in seven games, all of which were reviewed by VAR, casting doubt on the system’s effectiveness.

Moreover, Mohamed Salah has been disproportionately affected by unfavourable decisions, with a 63% decision rate against him, the highest in the league. This trend dates back to 2018 when he was labeled as a player who “provoked fouls.”

In the current season, the Reds have experienced a 56% rate of decisions going against them, raising further concerns about fairness and impartiality.

There is evidence to support that pgmol corruption exists:

• Liverpool Football Club have had 4 red cards in 7 games and all of them have been wrong. Each of them has been checked by VAR and despite the camera replays, they have been mistakes.
• Mo Salah gets 63% of decisions that go against him, higher than any other player in the league. Because, in 2018, he was labeled as a player who ‘encouraged a foul’.
• So far this season the decisions against Liverpool Football Club have been at a high of 56%
• In the last five premier league seasons, LFC has only had more than one red card in the season, more than once.
• In 2023 Jurgen Klopp was punished by the FA for speaking out against unfair treatment of his players.

Ever since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson referees have always wanted to push back against the big clubs because they know how the big clubs dominate the media landscape.

What happened next – PGMOL Statement after the game

The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) released a statement citing ‘human failure’, citing that the technology showed the goal was valid but an error from a single man whose job it was to highlight the onside chose not to. But in fact, it was the responsibility of two people and neither did their jobs.

“PGMOL acknowledged a significant human error occurred,” the statement read. “PGMOL will conduct a full review.”

It continued: “The goal by Luiz Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials. This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene.”

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) group who officate all of the premier league games.

How did VAR get it so wrong?

Most pundits have refrained from directly calling out that fact and asking the question, why didn’t the assistant VAR referee stop the game?

There are a few possible reasons why mistakes by VAR could happen;

First, If the Referee at Stockley Park does not know the footballing laws, this is highly unlikely but could happen.

Alternatively, an innate bias against LFC by directives to make an example out of Liverpool football club and Jurgen Klopp, very likely, could informally stem from the PGMOL and referees have previously spoken about how they are prepared by a team’s trickery in advance.

Or finally, there was some favouritism of Tottenham by a supporter in Stockley Park.

Ever since the game ‘ pgmol corruption ‘ has been trending on X formerly known as Twitter.

As a reaction to the debacle, Darren England was replaced as the fourth official for Sunday’s Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hostpurs – all the mistakes by VAR

1 – Curtis Jones Red Card

Curtis Jones challenge – every player agrees that the slow motion replay does not do the tackle justice, it only captures the contact on the leg, but not the entire movement. –

VAR showed still images of that contact to the referee but didn’t show the full motion of the tackle. And that demonstrates how VAR can be manipulated.

2- Luis Diaz disallowed own goal

Luis Diaz goal was ruled out offside when VAR intervened and despite that, the obvious error failed to show the referee the lines or even on screen.

3- Jota’s first yellow card

Jota’s first yellow was not a yellow card as the Spurs player tripped over his own feet. VAR check, complete despite a clear and obvious error.

Liverpool’s red card record in the Premier League

Liverpool’s red card record since Jurgen Klopp took over at Anfield, in October 2015, is one of the best in the Premier League, until the start of this season.

Here is a list of all of Liverpool FC’s red cards since Jurgen Klopp took charge in 2015. Prior to the start of the 23/24 season, his teams had 8 red cards. Out of which, in 3 seasons they have not received a straight red, but a sending-off for 2 yellows. (Stats by Premier League)

Liverpool Football Club deserve more than just an apology

Liverpool Football Club released a statement on Sunday calling for a wide‑ranging review into how an error by the video assistant referee prevented them from scoring in their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Saturday.

Later on Monday evening, they went on to follow that up with a statement where they requested to review the audio from the match officials, this has not been granted by the PGMOL.

The Anfield club is now in a position where they would “explore the range of options available” and made it clear that “sporting integrity” had been undermined.

What will Liverpool get from this?

Following the PGMOL admission of error, they refused to offer an apology or a detailed explanation of what the error happened, which has infuriated the Reds, especially, after the manner in which they handled Jurgen Klopp’s ban.

The truth is the Liverpool players showed incredible resilience against a very good Spurs side, but despite going down to nine men they would feel they had done more than enough to deserve at least a point.

However, having lost the league by one point on multiple occasions, this decision could literally cost them the league.

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