The second-half of the Premier League opener at Anfield was delayed by several minutes after a technical malfunction following the half-time break.
Linesman Simon Bennett had a malfunctioning headset after returning to the field which caused a considerable delay between Liverpool and Norwich.
The Premier League confirmed that it was a headset issue and that it did not have anything to do with the video assistant referee.
There was a slight delay to the restart as the officials' headsets were repaired – this issue was unrelated to VAR https://t.co/ypLewPN2RB
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 9, 2019
VAR communications at Anfield will be made via a combination of announcements over the public address system and written messages on the two electronic scoreboards.
A dedicated stadium announcer and scoreboard operator will also be situated in Anfield’s control room and they will have access to the live VAR information feed.
It is the first season VAR will be used in the Premier League and the video assistant will only be used for clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents in four match-changing situations:
- Goals
- Penalty decisions
- Direct red-card incidents
- Mistaken identity
As for the game itself, Liverpool ran in four goals in the first-half with a Grant Hanley own goal breaking the deadlock before further goals from Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi effectively sealed a comprehensive rout for Liverpool by the break.
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