An error by VAR official Darren England denied Liverpool what should’ve been a goal against Tottenham, sparking uproar throughout the Premier League on Saturday
Gary Lineker correctly predicted that Jurgen Klopp would continue his post-match criticism following Liverpool’s controversial defeat to Tottenham.
Liverpool saw two men sent off and Luis Diaz’s goal ruled out for offside in the eventual 2-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Long before Joel Matip scored an own goal in the 96th minute to help Spurs win all 3 points, Red Devils winger Diaz seemed to have opened the scoring before the offside flag was raised.
However, VAR manager Darren England mistakenly assumed the on-field decision was to award a goal, so failed to make a proper check and used the offside lines to show referee Simon Hooper that Diaz was actually present after Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was sent off for a foul on Yves Bissouma, after VAR turned his yellow card into a red.
With the score 1-1 midway through the second half, Diogo Jota received two yellow cards in just two minutes. Klopp’s anger was evident on the touchline, causing Lineker to write on social networks:
“Two red cards and VAR seemed to mess with Diaz’s offside. I think Klopp might get angry.”
The former Tottenham striker then doubled his prediction after Matip’s own goal ended Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season. “It’s amazing,” Lineker added, stunned. “I think it’s safe to say this is not Liverpool’s day. Klopp could explode.”
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Although Klopp didn’t explode, he did go on a rant post-match while the PGMOL issued a statement acknowledging “significant human error.” “I never saw a game like this with the most unfair circumstances, crazy decisions,” the Reds boss claimed.
“The first red card, Curtis steps on the ball and goes over. Not a bad tackle. It looks different in slow motion. He steps full throttle on the ball and goes over the ball. That is unlucky. For Jota, first yellow was not a yellow. Then he gets a second and to defend with eight outfield players is tricky.”
