Liverpool have asked referee body the PGMOL to explain two decisions at the weekend, which they feel were spectacularly wrong despite the scrutiny of VAR.
The club has officially written to Professional Game Match Officials Limited, who represent all officials in the Premier League, asking for a full explanation over two incidents, which were the subject of a full VAR review.
The first - at a crucial point in the game with Aston Villa - came after referee John Brooks and his assistant had allowed a goal scored by Cody Gakpo to stand. But after several minutes of examination from VAR Nick Greenhalgh, Brooks was asked to review the decision on the pitch-side monitor, and he overturned his original call to disallow the goal.
The explanation afterwards was that Villa defender Ezri Konsa didn’t deliberately play the ball to Vigil van Dijk, who was standing in an offside position, but would have been played onside if Konsa had made any attempt to play the ball.
Yet TV replays CLEARLY showed the centre-half had flicked his foot towards the ball in an obvious attempt to play it, with the contact diverting it away from a striker lurking behind, and towards van Dijk.
It was a massively contentious position which could have huge implications for Liverpool, because at that stage in the game, after 55 minutes, it would have brought Jurgen Klopp’s team level, with plenty of time to find a winner.
They ultimately only drew the fixture after a late Roberto Firmino equaliser, meaning they are almost certain now to miss out on Champions League football next season.
The other decision in question was a high challenge from Villa defender Tyrone Mings, which caught Liverpool’s Gakpo at the top of his rib cage and caused extensive lacerations to the forward.
Liverpool are hoping for an explanation on why VAR Greenhalgh DIDN’T ask Brooks to go to the monitor, when he DID over the disallowed goal, despite clear evidence to support the referee’s original decision.
There was a third contentious decision in the match when Jordan Henderson was tripped in the Villa box, but the VAR deemed there was no clear and obvious mistake from the referee.
The officials’ bizarre decisions in the match came on a contentious afternoon with Klopp banned, and sat in the stand, after a series of run-ins with referees over recent weeks.
And many irate Reds supporters passionately believe the club is being punished for Klopp’s questioning of officials, and in particular Paul Tierney, who has been at the centre of most of the drama surrounding contentious decisions in recent weeks.
Brooks was part of Tierney’s team for the game against Spurs when Klopp was charged by the FA and banned, and questions have been asked about lingering resentment - and possible payback - by fans.
Van Dijk himself said he was baffled by the decision to disallow the goal and after the game called for more transparency over refereeing decisions in the Premier League.
“I think it would be good if next season we can hear what they discuss, everyone around it, and be transparent,” the Dutch defender said.
“For them to explain with you guys (the media), coming here (in the interview area); that's what happened in Holland, why not over here in the Premier League?”
