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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen & Keifer MacDonald

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher slams huge 'problem' spotted in Man United defeat

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has taken to social media to express his frustration at how Video Assistant Referee technology has been used during the opening round of Premier League fixtures.

Already during the first weekend of the new campaign, there have been a string of high-profile incidents that have sparked debate among fans and pundits - ultimately boiling down to how VAR is used during its fourth season in the English top flight.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left frustrated on Saturday afternoon as his side dropped points on their trip to Craven Cottage - playing out a 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Fulham. However, there were many who thought Jordan Henderson was fouled during the build-up by Joao Palhinha, before Alexsander Mitrovic headed home the opener just seconds later.

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On Sunday afternoon, new United recruit Lisandro Martinez barged into the back of Brighton forward Danny Welbeck early in the second half, with the score at 2-0. However, referee Paul Tierney allowed VAR to make the decision for him as he failed to award a penalty for the excessive force from the Argentine.

Ultimately, those at Stockley Park failed to turn over Tierney's on-field decision, leaving the Seagulls feeling as if they had been cheated out of a chance to extend their lead from the spot.

And it's that kind of indecisiveness which has left Carragher feeling frustrated.

"Really enjoyed the @premierleague being back this weekend, but this high bar for VAR to change the referee’s decision is a joke," tweeted the Sky Sports pundit. "It’s about getting the right decision not sticking with the referee’s!"

Carragher also made his feelings clear on the use of VAR at the time of Martinez's challenge, while on commentary, saying: " That is a penalty, whether it’s given or not, VAR will look at it.

"It’s a penalty. 100 per cent a penalty. We can hear VAR check complete, it’s a penalty, the one problem I have with VAR is that the bar is too high to change a decision from the referee. You have to wonder what Martinez was thinking."

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