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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Audio of VAR decision that Liverpool benefitted from released for the first time as explanation revealed

Audio from VAR conversations that disallowed Kai Havertz's goal against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge has been made public for the first time.

The Reds played out a goalless draw with Chelsea in west London during a difficult period for Jurgen Klopp's side as they took the struggling Londoners in Graham Potter's last game at the helm.

Havertz was set through on goal before firing straight at Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson but the effort ricocheted off the Brazilian striking the former Bayer Leverkusen youngster's arm and rolling into the empty net. He wheeled off in celebration but Anthony Taylor received word off the officials at Stockley Park to rule out the goal for handball.

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Ahead of the clash with Leicester City, audio of conversations between officials for the contentious decisions were made public for the first time. Howard Webb, head of the PGMOL, was in attendance for Monday Night Football's coverage to discuss the decisions with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Here is the full transcript from the officials:

[Havertz races through on goal] Referee: DOGSO (Denial of goalscoring opportunity)… outside.

Assistant Referee: Out, out, out, in…

Assistant Referee: Come off his chest.

Referee: On-field decision is goal because I think it hits Havertz’s chest.

VAR: Okay mate, just checking the goal.

RO: Point of contact there.

AVAR: It’s arm mate, yeah.

VAR: It’s factual.

AVAR: Factual.

RO: I’ll just play it through into the back of the net.

VAR: Yeah, so just frame it on the arm.

VAR: Right, that is clearly arm. Tayls…

Referee: Yeah.

VAR: I recommend you disallow the goal. It is handball. It leads immediately to the ball in the net from the attacker.

Referee: Okay, so it is factual so we are going free-kick red (Liverpool).

VAR: Factual, handball.

AVAR: Penalty spot.

VAR: It’s on the penalty spot.

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