Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questioned the pressure being put on officials after the Professional Game Match Officials Limited vowed to investigate the decision to rule out a Luis Diaz goal in Saturday's dramatic 2-1 loss away to Tottenham.
Liverpool forward Diaz produced a fine finish to Mohamed Salah's 34th-minute pass but the linesman immediately raised his flag to signal offside.
A VAR check by Darren England in Stockley Park occurred, with screens inside the stadium informing supporters, but play was able to quickly resume with the video officials deciding no course correction was required.
PGMOL, the referees’ body, issued a statement after the match acknowledging a “significant human error” occurred and that VAR “failed to intervene” to reverse the decision.
According to multiple reports, the VAR drew the lines to check for offside and followed the process correctly. But, in what sources described as a momentary lapse of concentration, England lost focus of the initial on-field decision, meaning his confirmation resulted in a ‘check complete’ instead of intervening and awarding Diaz’s effort as intended.
Liverpool went on to finish the match with nine men and suffered stoppage-time heartbreak when Joel Matip deflected Pedro Porro’s cross into his own net in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but the post-match discussions focused on the crucial first-half error.
“Who does that help now [the PGMOL statement]? We had that situation in the Wolves-Man United game. Did Wolves get the points? No,” Klopp said in his post-match press conference.
“We will not get points for it so it doesn’t help. Nobody expects 100 per cent right decisions on field but we all thought when VAR comes in that it might make things easier.
“I don’t know why the people … are they that much under pressure? Today the decision was made really quick I would say for that goal. It changed the momentum of the game, so that’s how it is.”
After a breathless start at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Liverpool were reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute when Curtis Jones was sent off following a VAR review.
Jones caught Yves Bissouma with a high, studs-up tackle on his shin that initially earned him a yellow card but referee Simon Hooper upgraded the decision to a red card after he used the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
Diaz found the net six minutes later, but after it was ruled out Tottenham went ahead when captain Son Heung-min tapped home from Richarlison’s centre in the 36th minute.
Cody Gakpo levelled for Liverpool on the verge of half time but Klopp’s problems mounted when Diogo Jota was dismissed midway through the second half following two fouls on Destiny Udogie in quick succession.
It meant Liverpool had to play the final 21 minutes in North London with nine men and their stubborn resistance was finally broken when Porro’s dangerous cross was diverted past Alisson by Matip.
Klopp added: “I told the boys after the game I am super proud and especially with 10 men they were really good. They did everything that is necessary and on top of that we were courageous.
“I don’t think there is anything to say about the offside goal. I knew at half time.
“In the first moment I thought it was clear offside but then it is right to think they have a better view and at half time we knew with normal pictures. Easy to see, no offside.
“But I am pretty sure whoever did make that decision did not make it on purpose. It didn’t take extremely long to come to the conclusion, that is a bit strange, but someone else has to clarify that.”
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, was happy to accept the rub of the green with the Diaz ruled out effort but highlighted that VAR will never be “errorless” after he watched his team’s unbeaten record stretch to seven matches in the Premier League.
He said: “I think I’m on record as saying that I’ve never really been a fan of it since it came in. Not for any other reason than I think that it complicates areas of the game that I thought were pretty clear in the past.
“We used to understand that errors were part of the game, including officiating errors. You’d have to cop it and some people would cop it better than others but that was part of the game.
“The game is littered with historical refereeing decisions that weren’t right but we all accepted it that it was part of the game because we’re dealing with human beings.
“I think that people are under the misconception that VAR is going to be errorless.
“So much of our game isn’t factual. It’s down to interpretation and they’re still human beings. They’re going to make mistakes the same way managers make mistakes, the same way players make mistakes.
“When you put such a high bar on something it invariably is going to fail, so if people are thinking that VAR is going to be something that at some point that is perfect, that’s never going to happen.”
Player ratings
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Produced good saves to deny Cody Gakpo and then Andy Robertson in the first half. Couldn't do much when Gakpo eventually did score. Getty -
Some important defensive contributions and always a threat going forwards. Inviting late cross led to Matip's own goal. AP -
Lost Gakpo for Liverpool's goal and was guilty of lapses. His pace helped him with a few recovery challenges. Getty -
Helped his side make their numerical advantage count as he pushed up the pitch in the second half. PA -
Had a good game and coped relatively well with Salah. Fouled twice by Jota who was dismissed. EPA -
Energy and defensive work on point but still has room to improve with the ball. AP -
Continued good form here with another impressive display. Helped his side move the ball quickly when against 10 and then nine men. Reuters -
Didn't get much change out of Robertson but kept the Liverpool left back busy all night. PA -
The in-form midfielder split open the Liverpool defence in the build-up to Son's goal and went close himself in the second half. Getty -
Although he likes to play through the middle many feel he's at his best from the left and he did plenty of damage from that position here. Got an assist and also hit the woodwork. AP -
Scored again with a cool finish and had another chalked off for offside. Looks like he'll score plenty playing centre-forward in this team. EPA -
Tottenham Subs. Solomon (Son, 69'): Looked lively down the left as Spurs chased a winner. -
Davies (Udogie, 83'). Brought on to shore things up late on. Getty. Skipp (Sarr, 83'): N/A; Hojbjerg (Bissouma, 90'): N/A; Véliz (Maddison, 90'): N/A. -
Liverpool ratings. Made a couple of terrific saves to keep his side in it. No chance with the winner. EPA -
Nowhere to be found as Richarlison set up Son for the opening goal. Getty -
Had a tough afternoon against Spurs' lively attack and then put through his own net to hand the hosts all three points. Getty -
Had a hand in Gakpo's goal and stood firm for his team after the red cards. AP -
Coped well with Kulusevski but might have stopped the late cross that led to the winner. Getty -
Quality on the ball is clear to see but had to do far more defending than he is accustomed to after early red card. Reuters -
Form seems to have dipped after a bright start although this was a difficult day all round for the out-numbered Reds. Getty -
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Curtis Jones of Liverpool reacts after being shown a red card during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 30, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images) -
Has been showing his creative side lately and produced a few moments of genuine quality here. AP -
Took his goal superbly but injured himself in the process and was taken off at half-time. Getty -
Scored a well-taken goal that was contentiously ruled out for offside. Caused problems when he ran with the ball. AP -
Liverpool subs. Jota (Diaz, 45'): Sub sent off for two bookings, first one was soft but had to be more careful with his team in trouble. -
Konate (Gomez, 73'): Dug in as Liverpool tried and failed to hang on. AP -
Alexander-Arnold (Salah, 74'): Got skinned a couple of times late in the game. PA. Endo (Diaz, 73'): N/A; Gravenberch (Mac Allister, 80'): N/A.
