Liverpool news as the Premier League clarifies contentious calls made by the referees versus Chelsea due to uncertainty with VAR
This weekend’s drama was undoubtedly returned by the Premier League’s comeback. After two weeks of international play, domestic football returned, and it didn’t let down.
There were goals, surprises, red cards, errors, controversies around VAR, reversed rulings, referees at the center of it all, and overall top-flight excitement. For the most part, it went Liverpool’s way.
In addition to defeating Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday, they also avoided defeat for the third time this season as title rivals Arsenal fell to Bournemouth despite a late equalizer from Nicolas Jackson. That gives Arne Slot’s team the opportunity to go ahead of the Gunners by seven points already ahead of their crucial match at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.
It had become almost better. At Molineux, Manchester City was just seconds away from tying Wolves, who were now in last place. With a late victory from John Stones, the champions are now right behind Liverpool.
That wouldn’t have happened if Curtis Jones hadn’t led his team to an incredible victory in the league’s most difficult test to date. Along with taking just one penalty, he won both of them and scored the game-winning goal. But that was only a small portion of his whole performance.
Similar to how reducing Sunday’s thrilling match to simply three goals leaves out most of the major talking points, Jones’ performance went far beyond his influence in the box. Nevertheless, he was at the center of much of the match drama; here, Liverpool ECHO dissects the Premier League’s explanation for a contentious afternoon.
VAR intervention is now easier to obtain and can be communicated using the new Match Center account on X, which was formerly Twitter. It was definitely necessary at Anfield on Sunday.
There was a VAR check following Tosin Adarabioyo’s first-half tackle on Diogo Jota, which was only given a yellow card by referee John Brooks. However, no on-screen review was suggested, even though it was comparable to William Saliba’s Arsenal dismissal the day before. Although Stockley Park officials continued to investigate the incident, they decided against considering any potential sanctions at this time.
It was also decided that Brooks made the correct decision when he awarded Liverpool a penalty after Levi Colwill had tackled Jones in the box by mistake. Match Center confirmed, “The referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Colwill on Jones.” “The VAR checked and confirmed the referee’s call, deeming that contact was sufficient for a penalty.”
To score, Mohamed Salah stepped up. Twenty minutes later, it appeared that nothing would change. Jones went down once again as Rob Sanchez and the Liverpool midfielder collided.
The ball slipped beneath the goalkeeper of Chelsea. The players for Enzo Maresca have voiced more grievances, and Liverpool’s opportunity to score was taken away. According to Match Center, “the referee awarded Liverpool a penalty for a foul by Sanchez on Jones.”
“Since Sanchez was judged to have won the ball and there was no foul, the VAR suggested an on-field review. The action resumed with a drop ball after the referee reversed the initial ruling.”
However, VAR also takes away. Jackson appeared to have scored for Liverpool just after the half, but the offside flag appeared to have spared them. The Anfield crowd celebrated hurriedly as Stockley Park spectators drew the lines and discovered Chelsea’s forward had timed his run flawlessly.
The third announcement from Match Center now plays: “Jackson’s score was disallowed for offside on-field. Jackson was in an onside position, as determined by the VAR, who also suggested that the goal be given.”
Thankfully, that marked the end of the VAR decisions that were prolonging the game. Salah was eventually given the opportunity to open the score by Liverpool, even though Adarabioyo might have been sent off in other situations. Controversial was the second Jones penalty, with Jamie Carragher claiming it should have been a foul.
