Liverpool's Champions League hopes were all but ended yesterday by a stubborn Aston Villa side and another dose of VAR controversy.
The clash finished 1-1 at Anfield after Jacob Ramsey's first half opener was cancelled out by a late leveller from Roberto Firmino, on his farewell game at Anfield. Despite 10 minutes of injury time, Jurgen Klopp's side were then unable to get the winning goal they craved - leaving them in need of a miracle to overhaul Newcastle or Man United and finish in the top four.
But prior to Firmino's late intervention, the Reds has celebrated an apparent equaliser when Cody Gakpo volleyed home from close range. However, the goal was disallowed for offside following a prolonged VAR check.
That's despite Gakpo being onside throughout the move which saw Trent Alexander-Arnold cross for Luis Diaz, whose header rebounded off Enzri Konsa and into the path Virgil van Dijk - who was initially in an offside position. But with the deflection off Konsa seemingly playing him on, Van Dijk diverted the ball back into the danger area before Gakpo fired in after a scramble.
But unusually for an offside call, referee John Brooks was called over to the pitch-side monitor. And after a lengthy check, he incensed the home fans - and no doubt Jurgen Klopp in the stands - by awarding a free kick to the visitors.
And now the Premier League have released a statement to explain the decision-making process, clarifying the goal was chalked off as Konsa had not deliberately touched the ball: "The VAR recommended a review," it read. "And referee John Brooks determined it was a deflection off Enzri Konsa, not a deliberate play.'
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The incident comes in the same week that PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb was a special guest on Sky's Monday Night Football, clarifying a number of VAR calls throughout the 2022/23. Audio of discussions from decision-making processes was also released.
Klopp was serving a touchline ban following his post-match comments about the officials after his side beat Spurs 4-3 last month, but afterwards opted to keep quiet about the disallowed strike. Instead, he took aim at Villa's apparent attempts to wind down the clock in the second half.
"The time wasting was... wow," he said. "We saw against Sevilla the ball boys left the country, Roma against Leverkusen, how long was the ball in play? Everybody's doing it. We've seen in many games this season. Nothing to do with the result today."
