Liverpool’s ultimate aim in bitter VAR row becomes clear as new evidence comes to light

Liverpool’s ultimate aim in bitter VAR row becomes clear as new evidence comes to light  

Liverpool are committed to wanting a thorough investigation into Saturday’s remarkable Video Assistant Referee error at Tottenham, with the singling out of individuals not deemed to be good enough.

VAR Darren England and Assistant VAR Dan Cook were stood down from their duties for matches on Sunday and Monday after effectively disallowing a Luis Diaz goal by deciding to award it. 

Somehow both England and Cook had mistakenly believed Diaz had not been flagged offside when he ran through to put the 10-man Reds ahead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and so when they quickly told referee Simon Hooper it was “check complete” on the call they were inadvertently backing the assistant referee’s incorrect offside decision, with Diaz clearly onside. 

Sky Sports reported on Monday night that England and Cook did then become aware of their error but, with Tottenham having taken their free-kick to restart the game, they then felt that they were unable to stop the match and award the goal in their capacities as VARs. It is claimed that Hooper, who was working as a fourth official at Fulham against Chelsea on Monday night, was only made aware of the mistake at half-time.

In the past when high profile and controversial errors have been made the officials responsible have been stood down for the next game or games, but Liverpool believe that simply will not cut it this time given the unprecedented nature of the error

While not wanting to scapegoat England and Cook, the Reds are demanding transparency and a comprehensive review into one of the strangest decisions ever seen in the Premier League.

In a strongly-worded statement on Sunday evening the club said they would explore options available to them, citing a “clear need for escalation and resolution” to the problem. This does not mean that they will demand to replay the game despite suggestions to the contrary. It is purely confirmation that they do not accept the PGMOL’s explanation of “significant human error” to be adequate.

A current official has dismissed the idea that England and Cook were not allowed to intervene and correct their error, telling Sky Sports: “This is not about a subjective call, it is a goal – checked and confirmed – that wasn’t given through, I would say, not one but a series of failings. It could have and should have been immediately corrected regardless of normal protocol given how many people are in the control room or are listening in. This was not a normal situation.

“I have to say there’s a question management should answer too, it cannot just be on one person.”

The fact that England, Cook and fourth official Michael Oliver were all working in the UAE 48 hours before the Tottenham match is also thought to be something Liverpool are seeking answers on.

Again speaking to Sky Sports, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher said on Monday night: “There has been criticism of the officials going abroad midweek. I don’t have a problem with that because a lot of our officials referee in the Champions League and Europa League and come back.