Liverpool’s miserable run of form continues
VAR’s run of questionable calls also continues.
After last week’s mauling by Manchester City, some might have thought Jurgen Klopp’s men were on course to bounce back with a win at high-flying Leicester on Saturday.
The Reds deservedly took the lead in the second half through Mo Salah only to experience a spectacular collapse to lose the game 3-1.
While another high-profile error from Alisson might receive more of the headlines, it was an incredibly tight VAR call which sent Liverpool crashing to another loss.
Seconds after VAR had ruled for a Leicester free-kick just outside the area, James Maddison whipped the ball across the goal and into the far corner. The goal was swiftly ruled out for offside, only for VAR to intervene.
Daniel Amartey had not touched the ball as Maddison fizzed it across goal, but his attempt to get a toe to the ball appeared to be enough for the goal to be ruled out for interference.
However, the VAR official in charge also deemed that Amartey had been played onside by the back foot of Roberto Firmino, meaning the goal was allowed to stand.
Within seven minutes, goals from Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes had put the result beyond Liverpool, who could end the weekend in seventh place if other teams pushing for Champions League qualification win their games.
Though there was no denying that Liverpool had paid a heavy price for their poor defending, many of their supporters were in no doubt that a controversial offside call was the pivotal moment:
As for VAR, no point having the technology when the standard of officiating in this country is what it is. Can’t see how Amartey is deemed onside. Those calls have been given as offside all season. Where’s the consistency?
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) February 13, 2021
How is Mane offside but Amartey isn't? pic.twitter.com/av64MnWLHm
— AA (@PrimeSadio) February 13, 2021
it’s physically impossible for firmino’s toes to be where the dark blue line is without snapping his ankle off and reattaching it backwards, and the dashed line isn’t even drawn from the correct part of amartey’s body, clearly offside, corruption at its finest👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/uS940pHcMi
— Rhys 🏴 (@bypblo) February 13, 2021
One is offside and one isn’t. Would love to see the reasoning for this @FA ? pic.twitter.com/AlnssbGNaz
— Jamie Bishop (@JamieBish93) February 13, 2021
Following the game, Jurgen Klopp was asked if Liverpool’s title defence was now over.
“Yes,” he conceded. “I can’t believe it but, yes.”
"Yes. I can't believe it but, yes."
Jürgen Klopp waving the white flag on Liverpool's title defence pic.twitter.com/itR6BpKc2X
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 13, 2021
Liverpool fans may find some Stockley Park relief, on Tuesday, as their team takes on RB Leipzig in the Champions Cup.
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