Julen Lopetegui is convinced his Wolves side were denied a famous FA Cup win at Liverpool by a wrong VAR decision.
Wolves thought they had snatched a 3-2 triumph late on in their third round clash at Anfield on Saturday evening when Tote Gomes scored from a set-piece, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
VAR then checked the decision and found no evidence on camera that could dispute the decision to flag Matheus Nunes, who had received the ball earlier in the move having taken the initial corner.
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Wolves boss Lopetegui, though, claimed to have seen other video footage that determined the goal should have stood, and revealed he had spoken to referee Andy Madley after the game over the incident.
“The reaction is a little bit disappointed because in one way I am very proud of the players, they have deserved much more today,” he said. “It was a pity that against a fantastic team they had a lot of chances and it was a pity because we scored a third goal and I have to accept it but it is not offside.
“We can’t do anything. We have talked with the referee. He was very quiet but he hears us. It was a pity because today there was VAR. He was very polite to hear us. It is very good for the managers of football because they can have a mistake, I have a mistake every day.
“What did referee say? He tried to explain but it wasn’t very, very clear but of course more or less I will show him I think the goal is valid.”
Asked why he was so convinced the goal should have stood, Lopetegui responded: “Our tactical camera. I have seen the replay. Better in the dressing room.”
VAR also allowed Liverpool’s second goal, scored by Mohamed Salah, to stand despite the Egyptian being in an initial offside position before Gomes headed a cross from Reds debutant Cody Gakpo in his direction.
“This is one of the discussions because the rule is the same and in this special situation, if the player was offside and it was very clear, one metre and the player looks for his mate, he can take advantage,” said the Wolves boss.
“In the end the goal was valid and our goal was offside. It is a pity to talk about this because I think the most important thing was to talk about the performance.”
Of the game – which finished 2-2, meaning a replay at Molineux the week after next – Lopetegui added: “I’m frustrated, disappointed but in the same way knowing that we are able to compete and to do better and to have the ambition to win each match in the Premier League in England. Today we are unlucky with the decision and unlucky that we have a lot of chances, enough to win the match.”
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