Former Liverpool pair Neil Mellor and Dietmar Hamann have slammed the 'rubbish and baffling' VAR call made during Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa.
Roberto Firmino scored a late equaliser to cancel out Jacob Ramsey’s strike, but Jurgen Klopp’s side must hope results elsewhere go their way in the final week of the season to sneak into the top four. Liverpool are currently three points behind Manchester United in the table, although Erik ten Hag’s side do have a game in hand on the Reds.
But prior to Firmino's late strike, Liverpool’s fans and players celebrated an apparent equaliser when Cody Gakpo volleyed home from close range. However, the goal was disallowed for offside following a prolonged VAR check.
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The Premier League released a statement to explain the decision-making process, clarifying the goal was chalked off as Ezri 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.'
However, taking to Twitter, former Reds forward Mellor slammed the decision, saying: "I don’t know how a ref can honestly think this was ‘a deflection and not deliberate play’. A rubbish decision and a baffling interpretation of what deliberate play is by a footballer."
Replying to Mellor, Hamann said: "Couldn’t agree more, just goes to show that VAR isn’t improving decision making even with offside incidents.
"It gets worse by the week; there is no improvement. We gained nothing and lost a lot what makes football enjoyable. Football without it was purer and better. Scrap it."
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