VAR Controversy in Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

DBasia.news –  Liverpool won 2-1 over Crystal Palace in Week 13 of the Premier League which took place at Selhurst Park. The match was colored by the drama of the use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee).

Liverpool won 2-1 through goals scored by Sadio Mane (49′) and Roberto Firmino (85′), while a Palace goal was scored by Wilfried Zaha in the 82nd minute. Palace had scored another goal in the half, but the goal was disallowed.

Kevin Friend, the match referee, canceled the goal scored by James Tomkins after discussing with the referee VAR (Video Assistant Referee). The goal was disallowed because in the penalty area there was a foul that occurred when Jordan Ayew pushed Dejan Lovren.

The moment was the subject of discussion by English soccer fans. Two Sky Sports football pundits, Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson, couldn’t help but think that the goal from Tomkins was annulled. Stelling did see Ayew’s encouragement to Lovren, but it did not affect the goal creation.

If it is not considered a violation, Lovren also will not be able to reach the ball of the results of Luka Milivojevic’s cross. “He (Lovren) needs a ladder to reach the ball,” Stelling said on Sky Sports.

Merson, a former Arsenal player, was actually outspoken to give the Premier League title to Liverpool right now. “Are we better off giving the league title at this time to Liverpool?” added Merson.

The presence of VAR in the Premier League this season has indeed sparked public debate. Premier League referees are more inclined to rely on them than their instincts for decision making. Liverpool has also benefited twice from the VAR.

When winning 3-1 over Man City, there were recorded two handballs by Liverpool players in the restricted area, one of them by Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, the referee does not give a penalty prize, even though in VAR the ball hits his hand.

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, chose not to discuss the VAR issue and highlighted the performance of his team who played under the best conditions.

“I am not at all surprised from this difficult match, to be honest. You may see my whole match (against Palace), everything is difficult. Can we play better? Yes. Achieving the results of Crystal Palace is something we achieve from hard work. This feels good,” Klopp said on the Metro.

While Roy Hodgson, Palace manager, assessed the VAR’s decision was right in the match. Former Liverpool manager agrees with the violations committed by Ayew to Lovren.

“I do not want to be involved in things like this. I think this (Tomkins’s goal) is not a fault of VAR. There was a violation in the penalty box, Jordan, unfortunately, pushed Lovren and annulled the goal,” said Hodgson.