Liverpool's Klopp unhappy with VAR delays in win over Wolves
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 General view of the Big screen during a VAR decision Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
(Reuters) - The video assistant referee (VAR) system was back in the spotlight on Sunday after drawing the ire of both managers in Liverpool's 1-0 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Sadio Mane's goal restored Liverpool's 13-point lead over Leicester City at the top of the table but it was only confirmed after a lengthy VAR review to check for a possible handball by Adam Lallana in the build-up.
"We're in December and coming into January. Players standing around that long is not good," Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp said. "I'd prefer if referees went to the screen because it's directly next to us and never used, I don't know exactly why.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 General view of the big screen after a Wolverhampton Wanderers goal is disallowed REUTERS/Andrew Yates
"If it's a tight offside with a small margin ... then I can understand it, but with the possible handball, I don't understand it.
"It would have gone quicker (by going to the screen), but that's how we do it in England and we cannot change that."
Wolves were then denied an equaliser by VAR, another decision that came after a long delay.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who was booked for protesting the disallowed goal, said he was not a fan of VAR decisions being taken miles away from where matches are being played.
The VAR decisions are made at a hub in Stockley Park, south West London.
"I don't like it," he added. "A referee in that situation doesn't feel the game like someone present at the match. It's not for me to say how things can be improved, but I think it's a pity."
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Liverpool next play Sheffield United on Thursday while Wolves visit second-from-bottom Watford a day earlier.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto appeals to referee Anthony Taylor after Liverpool's Sadio Mane scored their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts REUTERS/Andrew Yates Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo with the asssistant referee Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo with the asssistant referee Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves appeals to the assistant referee Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves appeals to the assistant referee Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez in action with Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum REUTERS/Andrew Yates ESoccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2019 Referee Anthony Taylor and assistants walk off after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
