Liverpool said that "sporting integrity has been undermined" by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) error in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League loss to Tottenham, adding they will "explore the range of options available".
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the referees’ governing body in England, admitted VAR officials Darren England and Dan Cook failed to act after Luis Diaz’ 34th-minute strike at Tottenham on Saturday was wrongly disallowed for offside. Still images of the incident showed Tottenham's Cristian Romero playing Diaz onside.
The decision was made when the Premier League match was goalless but after Curtis Jones had been contentiously sent off following England’s intervention. Liverpool also had substitute Diogo Jota sent off as Spurs grabbed a last-minute winner through a Joel Matip own goal.
England and Cook were stood down from duty for the rest of the weekend but Liverpool issued a statement on Sunday saying they will pursue the matter.
The statement 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."
Liverpool said it was “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,” the club's statement added. "Any and all outcomes should be established only by the review and with full transparency."
Liverpool said they need to explore their options, "given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”
Spurs v Liverpool 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 -
Sent off for an X-rated tackle on Bissouma. Left his side in the lurch. Getty -
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.
PGMOL had earlier acknowledged that “a significant human error" occurred in the first half of the game and said it would conduct a full review.
It is understood the correct procedure was followed for the controversial decision but the mistake was down to human error.
The lines on the officials' screens were drawn in accordance with normal procedure and every other aspect was checked.
However, what is being described by sources as a lapse of concentration led to a loss of focus around the initial on-field decision and then a 'check complete' being confirmed rather than an intervention which would have resulted in the goal being awarded.
It is understood that referees' chief Howard Webb has spoken to Liverpool about the incident.
