JORDAN Henderson had a late winner chalked off in one of the most controversial decisions by VAR so far during a frenetic Merseyside derby.
After the game the Reds skipper even suggested that video referees sometimes “bend the lines”.
Mane was judged to be offside by the VAR in the build-up to what appeared to be Liverpool’s winner at Goodison Park
It looked like the Liverpool captain had won it stoppage time after his low shot snuck past the desperate hands of Jordan Pickford with the game at 2-2.
But before the celebrations had even ended, the video assistant referee David Coote was looking at the positioning of Sadio Mane for the goal.
Replays seen with the naked eye showed him appearing level alongside the last Everton man, but the VAR chalked it off, much to the incredulity of Liverpool fans.
Speaking after the game, Henderson said: “It must be offside with VAR, it’s what everyone wants.
“I think they bend the lines sometimes to make it offside.
“I’m not sure how they do it, I’ve seen it before.
“It’s disappointing we haven’t got the win.”
SOCIAL STORM
There must have only been inches in it in what is one of the tightest offside calls since the introduction of VAR.
And it could have potentially huge implications in the early Premier League title race, as Everton maintained their unbeaten start and Liverpool were denied a win that would have helped banish memories of their Aston Villa defeat.
The incident sparked varying reactions across social media.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher tweeted a string of laughing faces as he reacted to the controversial VAR decision.
While BBC presenter Dan Walker tweeted to say the decision, even if right, “feels wrong”.
David Coote has previously been embroiled in VAR controversy, not least when officials had to admit during the game that the decision not to send Giovani Lo Celso off for a stamp as Tottenham played Chelsea in February was a mistake.
Henderson’s offside goal was the last action in a game packed with controversial incidents.
Henderson’s joy quickly turned to bemusement as VAR intervened with his winning goal Credit: Reuters
After Sadio Mane gave the visitors an early lead, Virgil Van Dijk was also controversially judged to be offside as he got on the end of the cross.
But as the flag went up, Jordan Pickford went across the defender with an awful last-ditch tackle and somehow escaped any punishment from VAR.
The tackle was so bad Van Dijk was left to trudge off with an injury.
Pickford’s reckless challenge on Van Dijk was not punished by the referee or the VARCredit: EPA
Calvert-Lewin jumped highest to nod home what proved to be the equaliserCredit: Reuters
It was end-to-end from there as Michael Keane equalised for the Toffees, before Mohamed Salah restored Liverpool’s lead with a stunning effort in the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin got Everton level with a tremendous leaping header, before the game once again descended into ugliness with a wretched high tackle by Richarlison on Thiago, leading to the Brazilian’s dismissal.
The best Merseyside derby in years looked set to end with a late flourish after Pickford spilled Henderson’s injury time shot, but the VAR had other ideas.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
