Liverpool have a knack for being concerned in controversial moments involving the officers, with no scarcity of flashpoints over time.
The journey to Man Metropolis conjured up one other controversial second after Virgil van Dijk‘s purpose was disallowed, with the complete VAR audio not precisely clarifying the referee’s case.
That exact occasion is on the tame finish of the spectrum on the subject of run-ins with the officers, as we’ve ranged from loopy to monumental human errors.
There’s an acceptance that people make errors, however Liverpool have been concerned in a weird variety of incidents in recent times, and we’re going again in time to take a look.
Andy Robertson elbowed by assistant Constantine Hatzidakis
This isn’t one thing you’ll have ever imagined being a chance, nevertheless it was precisely what occurred in opposition to Arsenal at Anfield in 2023.
At half-time, the Scot made his technique to Hatzidakis to remonstrate with him over a call, however wouldn’t have anticipated to be elbowed within the jaw for his troubles.
It was a stunning incident and one you needed to watch a lot of instances earlier than to persuade your self it truly occurred.
The PGMOL pulled Hatzidakis from responsibility whereas they investigated, however they took no additional motion – a bit arduous to consider, suppose if it was the opposite method round!
He did apologise to Robertson and was not concerned in a Liverpool match as an assistant referee till January this yr.
Luis Diaz’s purpose incorrectly dominated offside
For those who’re searching for high spot, that is the one – and but so many have been fast to brush it below the carpet!
The PGMOL admitted {that a} “vital human error” occurred because the VAR official overseeing the match, Darren England, did not intervene to overturn the choice and award the purpose.
The complete audio highlighted a chaotic communication course of that confirmed it took a replay operator to level out the error after the purpose did not be awarded.
Luis Diaz was onside and had a wonderfully good purpose dominated out attributable to incompetence, it was scarcely plausible and the hypocrisy that got here after the very fact was weird.
Effectively completed boys, good course of.
John Moss has “no concept” after awarding penalty
We’re going additional again in time with this one, and it’s a doozy.
In 2018, Liverpool hosted Tottenham in what ended as a 2-2 draw, however the match is remembered for referee Jon Moss awarding a penalty after admitting he had “no concept” a couple of key contact within the build-up.
On an evening when VAR was not in operation, Moss awarded a penalty after Loris Karius was adjudged to have impeded Harry Kane, after which consulted his assistant.
They sought clarification as as to whether the ball was touched by Dejan Lovren, as Kane would have been offside had it not. The dialogue, which included this snippet, is absurd:
Ed Sensible (ass. ref): “You understand what I’m asking; I must make clear, has Lovren touched the ball? If he has, it’s a deliberate motion and, due to this fact, it’s a penalty. If he has not, it’s offside.
Moss: “I do not know whether or not Lovren touched the ball to be sincere with you. Martin (Atkinson), have you ever obtained something from TV? I’m giving the penalty.”
Good course of…once more.
VAR ‘forgot’ to verify Jordan Pickford deal with on Van Dijk
Jordan Pickford’s reckless problem on Virgil van Dijk ended his 2020/21 season prematurely, however the incident was by no means checked by VAR operator David Coote.
As an alternative of reviewing why Van Dijk was requiring medical consideration, the prolonged verify solely decided that the Dutchman was offside previous to the incident and thus a free-kick was awarded to Everton.
It was later reported that Coote forgot to verify for a pink card as he was below the idea that the offside nullified something that adopted.
The on-field referee, Michael Oliver, later admitted he ought to have despatched Pickford off however was too occupied with the offside ruling.
Jurgen Klopp vs. Paul Tierney – “Solely you”
There was no love misplaced between Jurgen Klopp and Paul Tierney, that’s for sure.
The 2 had extra run-ins than any manager-referee duo, and we could also be biased, however they sometimes got here after controversial choices.
Throughout a contentious 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021, which noticed Robertson despatched off however Kane keep away from a pink card, Klopp mentioned to the referee at full-time: “I’ve no issues with any referees, solely you.”
It was not the final run-in, with one other outstanding instance coming after the dramatic 4-3 win in opposition to Spurs in 2023, which noticed Klopp handed a two-game ban for his feedback.
He mentioned after the match: “We’ve got our historical past with Tierney, I actually don’t know what he has in opposition to us…How he seems to be at me, I don’t perceive it.
“What he mentioned to me when he gave me the yellow card will not be OK.”
Raheem Sterling dominated offside vs. Man Metropolis
For those who have been to ask Liverpool followers, apart from Diaz’s disallowed purpose, what is among the most controversial choices that went in opposition to the Reds, it could be this one.
On Boxing Day 2013, Brendan Rodgers’ males travelled to the Etihad in a key league fixture and so they misplaced 2-1, however who is aware of what would have transpired with out a calamitous offside name.
Sterling was despatched clear via on purpose and was onside by a number of physique lengths, and but the flag went up – on the time, it was the right commercial for why VAR was wanted.
Virgil van Dijk pink card results in ban and fantastic
Van Dijk had some alternative phrases for referee John Brooks after he was despatched off at Newcastle in 2023, together with his deal with on Alexander Isak seeing tempers flare.
His one-match ban for his pink card offence was doubled after he was charged by the FA for labelling the choice a “f***ing joke” as he left the pitch.
He was additionally fined £100,000 for improper conduct. If it was setting a precedent few may argue, however he appears to have been the exception within the years since.
Inconsistency at its best.
David Coote and Liverpool
David Coote’s profession as a referee all however got here to an finish after a foul-mouthed video criticising Liverpool and Klopp from 2020 surfaced, in what was the final flashpoint.
There was no scarcity of incidents with Coote over time, who was concerned as VAR when Martin Odegaard was a basketball participant at Anfield, assessing the incident because the Arsenal captain “falling down.”
Howard Webb later admitted it was not the proper consequence, nevertheless it was a bit too late for that.
Then you might have Mo Salah being mowed down in opposition to Aston Villa in Arne Slot‘s first season, with Coote waving away a transparent foul that denied a goalscoring alternative.
Whenever you additionally issue within the Pickford incident, the listing turns into fairly weird in regard to the quantity of situations the place Coote is concerned.
James Tarkowski avoiding pink card on Alexis Mac Allister
It was a excessive, reckless deal with and fortunate to not have damaged Alexis Mac Allister‘s leg, and but James Tarkowski walked away with solely a yellow card at Anfield.
The PGMOL later acknowledged that the defender ought to have been despatched off and believed VAR Tierney – there he’s once more – ought to have really helpful a overview.
The problem was checked by VAR however Tierney felt there was no clear and apparent error, main Webb to, once more, contact Liverpool concerning their error.
As talked about above, errors occur, however the frequency with which they happen, typically concerning comparable incidents, is why frustration grows as nothing seems to have modified.
