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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool make big screen decision ahead of VAR introduction in Premier League next season

Liverpool will NOT install any big screens at Anfield in preparation for the introduction of VAR in the Premier League next season.

The Reds are one of several top-flight clubs - including Manchester United - not to have at least one large video screen in their stadium.

Anfield instead has two electronic scoreboards, one at the corner of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and Kop, and the other high at the corner between the Main Stand and the Kop.

VAR - video assistant referee - will be used in every Premier League game next season, having been utilised in selected FA Cup and League Cup ties this season, as well as last summer's World Cup and in this season's Champions League knockout stages.

Some decisions that go to VAR - including any video clip which helps explain an overturned decision - are to be shown on big screens in Premier League grounds.

But with no plans to install screens at Anfield in the near future, messages on the two scoreboards and PA announcements will be made to indicate decisions.

VAR: How the system works

Supporters could nevertheless be able to view clips regardless, though, with tentative plans of making them available via an app on mobile devices.

"The Premier League has created graphics which will be displayed on giant screens to explain any VAR-related delay to a match, and any overturned decision," a Premier League statement said earlier this week.

"Additionally, if the VAR believes there is a definitive video clip which helps explain an overturned decision, it will be broadcast on giant screens.

"Also, the Premier League is investigating the possibility of messages and video clips being viewed on handheld devices via an app.

Referee Craig Pawson consults the VAR system during Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion in January 2018 (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"For clubs who do not have giant screens in their stadium, VAR communications will be made via a combination of PA announcements and messages on scoreboards."

Previous use of VAR at Anfield has proven controversial.

There was widespread confusion when was first used in the FA Cup fourth round defeat to West Bromwich Albion in January 2018, with supporters left in the dark over decisions.

In September, a Chelsea goal was awarded despite replays suggesting it was offside in the League Cup defeat.

VAR has since been used in this season's home Champions League knockout ties against Bayern Munich, Porto and Barcelona, where communication decisions to supporters was considered somewhat haphazard.

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