Liverpool daily briefing: Reds 'explore options' after VAR farce, LFC Women stun Arsenal
The LFC stories you need to know for Monday 2 October...
The fallout from Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur continues.
After the PGMOL’s statement on Saturday evening, apologising for the “significant human error” in incorrectly disallowing Luis Díaz’s goal, came one from the Reds on Sunday.
It read: “Liverpool Football Club acknowledges PGMOL’s admission of their failures last night. It is clear that the correct application of the laws of the game did not occur, resulting in sporting integrity being undermined.
“We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR.
“It is therefore unsatisfactory that sufficient time was not afforded to allow the correct decision to be made and that there was no subsequent intervention.
“That such failings have already been categorised as “significant human error” is also unacceptable. Any and all outcomes should be established only by the review and with full transparency.
“This is vital for the reliability of future decision-making as it applies to all clubs with learnings being used to make improvements to processes in order to ensure this kind of situation cannot occur again.
“In the meantime, we will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”
Clearly, this story is going to run and run. On Sunday, it emerged that Darren England and Dan Cook, the VAR officials at the centre of the controversy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, had been part of a refereeing team that officiated a game between Sharjah and Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, less than 48 hours before the game in North London.
Questions, naturally, are now being asked about that trip, which was sanctioned by PGMOL head Howard Webb, and whether it may have contributed to events at Tottenham. Fatigue is one issue, while there is also the question of a potential conflict of interest, given the Gulf state’s connections to other Premier League clubs. The PGMOL, for their part, believe the trip was routine, and have compared it to referees taking part in midweek Champions League matches - although the fact that England and Cook, plus fourth official Michael Oliver, only arrived in London 24 hours before the game after a seven-hour flight appears a little unusual.
England was due to be fourth official for Sunday’s game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford, with Cook set to be involved as assistant referee in tonight’s Fulham vs Chelsea clash, but both were taken off following Saturday’s events. It is unlikely that either will be on duty this weekend, as the PGMOL conducts its review.
Women’s team start in style at Arsenal
What a result for Liverpool FC Women to start the new WSL season with.
Despite an outbreak of Covid at Melwood this week, which meant they could only name four substitutes, Matt Beard’s team produced the result of the weekend as they won 1-0 at much-fancied Arsenal, in front of a record WSL crowd of 54,115.
Miri Taylor scored the only goal, sliding home a superb pull-back from Missy Bo Kearns, three minutes into the second half, with the Reds (playing in purple) producing a superb defensive display to see out the victory. Goalkeeper Rachael Laws, in particular, was outstanding.
Having not won a single away league game last season, this is some result for Beard’s side. They beat eventual champions Chelsea on the opening weekend last term, going on to finish seventh in the table. Surely, they will have their eye on a top-six finish if they can produce this kind of performance on a regular basis.
Brilliant, Beardy and the girls. What a start!
Elsewhere…
Liverpool anxiously await news on Cody Gakpo’s knee injury. The Dutchman left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wearing a brace after hurting himself just before equalising. Klopp has already hinted it could be a bad one. Let’s hope not, eh?
The Reds are unlikely to appeal Curtis Jones’ red card against Spurs, despite their disappointment with it. Jones is now suspended for the Reds’ next three Premier League games, but will be available for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise. Diogo Jota will miss next weekend’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion after his red card.
The U21s got a great win at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Lewis Koumas was on target twice in a 4-2 victory down in London, with Mateusz Musialowski and Paul Glatzel also on the scoresheet. The Reds, remarkably, fielded two 16-year-old centre-backs in Amara Nallo and Carter Pinnington.
Neil, Can you enlighten me as to why everyone changed their tune after LFC made that statement, which echoed the feeling and comments from most journos and punters on social media and major networks, including match of the day. I know I sound paranoid, but it felt orchestrated. Even Jonathan Liew from the Guardian went on a rant making fun of us asking for asking a rematch. Dejavu. I woke up this morning I thought I got over it even after reading more evidence and details about what actually happened and then reading the response to the statement on Twitter. Everyone seems to be asking to sit down; shut the fuck up. You’re Liverpool; you are lucky to be in the Premier and Europa League. Just accept what is given to you.
I see Gary Neville has criticised LFC for the statement put out. He reckons ‘sorry’ should be enough. The problem is that would be reasonable if it was ‘ sorry and we will ensure it never happens again’ but we know this isn’t the case.
If someone doesn’t make a stand then we will move on until the next cock up.