Liverpool have described the ‘significant human error’ that ruled out a goal for Luis Diaz as ‘unacceptable’ and said they are ‘exploring a range of options’
Liverpool have issued an explosive statement following Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal against Tottenham.
Diaz scored a beautiful shot into the net in the first half, but was flagged offside. A quick VAR check by Darren England at Stockley Park unexpectedly decided the Liverpool striker was offside, even though he appeared to be at least level with the last defender.
It has since emerged that England thought the goal had been given and therefore advised the onfield officials to stick with what he thought was the original decision. Spurs took the lead a couple of minutes later and went on to win 2-1 thanks to Joel Matip’s 96th minute own goal. Liverpool finished the match with nine men after Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were dismissed.
After the game, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) owned up to the VAR howler, describing it as a “significant human error”. Referees’ chief Howard Webb has also been in touch with Liverpool to apologise.
However, that has cut little ice with the Reds, who issued a hard-hitting statement on Sunday evening. It 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.”
