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    Ange Postecoglou breaks silence on Liverpool disallowed goal as Spurs boss reveals fears over ‘sending club down’

    SPURS manager Ange Postecoglou has broken his silence on the VAR controversy that took place in Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool last week.Tottenham emerged from the game victorious after a 96th minute Joel Matip own goal in a game that included two contentious red card decisions for Liverpool.
    Postecoglou says he did not realise an error had occurred until after the gameCredit: Reuters
    When asked if Liverpool should have been able to walk the ball in he said it’s not up to the managers to be “arbiters” of footballCredit: Sky Sports
    But the bulk of Liverpool, and their manager, Jurgen Klopp’s, ire has been put on the decision to disallow Luis Diaz’s first-half strike to put Liverpool 1-0 up.
    Diaz was onside but the linesman flagged him as off.

    In a mix-up, which saw the VAR officials think that the on-field decision was to allow the goal, VAR chief Darren England mistakenly told the ref the game could carry on and the goal was struck off.
    A fuming Klopp said ahead of his side’s Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise that he believes the game should have been replayed in light of the mistake.
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    Klopp said: “It’s important we really deal with it in a proper way. I mean all of the people involved, the referee, linesman, fourth official and VAR – they didn’t do it on purpose. Yes it was a mistake, an obvious mistake.
    “I say this not as manager of Liverpool but as a football person – I think the only outcome should be a replay. Probably will not happen.”
    It was to put to Postecoglou in his pre-match press conference before Spurs’ trip to Luton that it might have been the right thing for Spurs to allow Liverpool to score a goal once it became clear that Diaz’s goal had been wrongly ruled out.
    But Postecoglou said that he would not have instructed his team to do that because he wants to trust the process of VAR.
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    Postecoglou said: “I just don’t see that. If we want managers to be the arbiters of these kind of things. We’ve got pretty hefty responsibilities at our football clubs but we’re not the custodians.
    “I wouldn’t make a decision that could potentially send a club down on the back of what my beliefs are.
    “In that moment, if somebody could tell me that they could explain everything that went on within the prism of 30 seconds…. I have to make a decision and it wasn’t going to happen.
    “It’s different if it’s something clear. It was a bad error through a lack of communication but it wasn’t something that was easily explainable. If it was easily explainable, I would assume there would have been [less] uproar than there was.”
    The Spurs boss said he did not realise an error had been made until after the game, but said that all he can do is trust in the refereeing process and expect some degree of human error.
    He continued: “I don’t think anyone realised that something significant had happened during the game. It was only when I got to the press conference that I knew something important must have been happening. A fairly significant adventure in a game of football. 
    “Whatever I say will be seen through the prism that we were the beneficiaries of a mistake and we certainly were. The facts of it are that there was a legitimate goal that wasn’t given. It became clear it wasn’t an integrity issue, it was a mistake in communication that cost Liverpool a goal. 
    “We want an errorless faultless system that doesn’t exist and will never exist, unless we want to turn our game into an event that goes for four hours while we’re explaining every decision.”
    Postecoglou suggested that changing the language used around VAR checks may make it easier to decipher whether an error has been made in the future.
    He said: “From my perspective when I listened to that audio, saying ‘check complete’, someone obviously thought it was a good way of finalising things and it’s worked up until now.
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    “I would have thought the logical thing is to say ‘goal for Liverpool’ and there isn’t anything but I’m saying that with the ignorance of not knowing how it’s truly set up.
    “When listening to that you probably think there’s better ways of communicating a clear decision in such a big situation.” More

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    Tottenham send fans into meltdown with notification about rescheduled Liverpool clash – but there’s a catch

    SPURS fans were sent into a panic today when the club’s official app sent a notification that their home game with Liverpool had been rescheduled.The notification came a day after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called for a replay of their 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Saturday.
    Jurgen Klopp wants Saturday’s game with Tottenham replayed after Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly ruled out for offsideCredit: Rex
    The manager said: “I say this not as manager of Liverpool but as a football person – I think the only outcome should be a replay. Probably will not happen.” after the audio of VAR’s process to disallow Luis Diaz’s goal was released.
    Tottenham’s notification simply read: “Fixture update: Our home clash with Liverpool has been rescheduled.”
    But the notification actually referred to Tottenham’s WSL fixture against Liverpool in November being rescheduled.
    The game has been moved to the 12th of November for TV.
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    Fans on Twitter said their first instinct was that Klopp’s demands had come off and that their men’s Premier League game would be replayed.
    One fan wrote: “I fell off my chair.”
    Another added: “My heart was in my mouth.”
    A third wrote: “Almost comedic, almost.”
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    And a fourth wrote: “They knew EXACTLY what they were doing when wording that push notification.”
    Spurs opened their WSL campaign this weekend with a 2-1 loss away at Chelsea.
    Mia Fishel opened the scoring in the 28th minute for Chelsea before Lauren James added a second in the 51st minute.
    Martha Thomas pulled one back for Spurs in the 74th minute as they pushed to get back into the game.
    Overall it was a much improved performance compared to last season from Spurs in what was manager Robert Vilahamn’s first game in charge. More

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    Liverpool told the two signings that ‘could win them the Champions League’ and help form ‘unbelievable side’

    JURGEN KLOPP has been told by an ex-Liverpool star the two players he needs to make them Champions League winners again.The German has already enjoyed huge success since his arrival at Anfield in 2015.
    Jurgen Klopp has been told the TWO new players he needs to make Liverpool top dogsCredit: PA
    Jermaine Pennant was a Champions League finalist during his time at AnfieldCredit: Getty
    He has won every trophy available, ending the club’s three decade wait for the title, as well as the Champions League in 2019.
    However, his squad underwent a major overhaul over the summer after veterans Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed as well as Roberto Firmino.
    Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were all brought in to bolster Liverpool and the new-look outfit have made an impressive start to the campaign after last season’s disappointing fifth-placed finish.
    Having missed out on the Champions League, the Reds are competing in the Europa League this term as they prepare to face Union Saint-Gilloise tonight.
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    And despite being impressed with the new recruits, ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes that two more key players would result in them being crowned the kings of Europe for a seventh-time.
    The now 40-year-old, who was a Champions League finalist during his time on Merseyside, says that Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram are the men needed.
    The two midfielders have both been linked with Liverpool over recent months and Pennant has backed both the Borussia Monchengladbach French ace, 22, and his 22-year-old countryman at Nice to add the finishing touches to Klopp’s squad.
    Pennant told Lucky Block: “I’d like to see Liverpool sign a proper enforcer in January. For me, that player would be Manu Kone.
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    “I think he would be a great number six and encourage Mac Allister to move further forward.
    “Kone would be the icing on the cake, and so would Khephren Thuram – I’ve always been a huge fan of his.
    “He may not play as a six, but you could make it work. If we can get them in January, then we’re looking at a boss midfield.
    “Those two could win Liverpool the Champions League. Having Kone and Thuram in there would elevate Liverpool’s midfield to being up there with the very best.
    “Add in the forward five, and the likes of Virgil [van Dijk], Trent [Alexander-Arnold], and Alisson in the back, and that’s an unbelievable side.”
    Regarding the new additions already at the club, Pennant hailed the work of Klopp in the last transfer window.
    He added: “I think this is up there with Klopp’s greatest transfer windows.
    “He’s got everything down to a tee. Dominik Szoboszlai has had an unbelievable start, Mac Allister is a quality signing, even though I’d like to see him play a bit further forward.
    “Endo will be solid once he settles, and Ryan Gravenberch looks exciting, too. Liverpool needed fresh legs and new energy, and now they’ve got it. For the first time in years, it doesn’t look like Liverpool’s midfield will be overrun.
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    “They’re solid, confident, and chipping in with goals themselves. This midfield has already scored more goals than the one last season!
    “I don’t think Henderson scored once, and I think Fab only got two. This midfield has already bettered that.”
    Jermaine Pennant is a huge admirer of French starlet Manu KoneCredit: Getty
    Nice’s Khephren Thuram has also caught the eye of the ex-wingerCredit: Getty More

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    Neville slams Liverpool for ‘grabbing defeat from victory’ in handling of VAR blunder after Klopp calls for replay

    GARY NEVILLE has slammed Jurgen Klopp for demanding that Saturday’s match with Tottenham should be replayed.Spurs won the game 2-1 courtesy of a last minute Joel Matip own goal after The Reds had gone down to nine men.
    Gary Neville has hit out at Jurgen Klopp for suggesting their loss to Tottenham should be replayedCredit: Getty
    Klopp says he thinks “the outcome should be a replay”Credit: PA
    But there was earlier controversy in the game after it looked as though Liverpool had taken the lead in the 34th minute through a Luis Diaz goal.
    But the opener was wrongly ruled out for offside, after VAR officials mistakenly believed that the on-field decision was to award a goal and confirmed what they thought was a decision to allow it to stand.
    The referee’s ruling body PGMOL subsequently came out and apologised for the mistake after the game.
    They also released audio detailing what went wrong at Stockley Park.
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    Klopp felt aggrieved at a number of decisions after the match, which he described as the most unfair he has ever been a part of.
    Liverpool responded on Sunday that they would “explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution” to make amends for the mistake.
    But now Liverpool want to explore the possibility of getting the game replayed.
    In Jurgen Klopp’s pre-match press conference before Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Union Saint Gilloise the manager said: “As a football person, I think the outcome should be a replay.
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    “Something like that [VAR making such a high-profile error] has never happened.”
    Gary Neville was clearly displeased with Klopp’s comments and took to Twitter to voice his concerns.
    Neville had previously been sympathetic to Liverpool’s position and said that Curtis Jones should not have been sent off for his tackle on Yves Bissouma.
    But he has drawn the line at asking for the match to be replayed, and said: “Can’t believe how Liverpool have grabbed defeat from victory in their handling of this ! They were wronged by a shocking mistake. End of!” Alongside three laughing emojis.
    The Premier League are not understood to be considering the prospect of a replay at this time.
    After Liverpool’s clash with Union Saint-Gilloise tomorrow, they travel to Brighton on Sunday for their next Premier League game. More

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    Andy Carroll hoped he would FAIL his medical before whirlwind £35m deadline day transfer to Liverpool

    ANDY CARROLL wanted to FAIL his medical before signing for Liverpool on transfer deadline day. The year was 2011 and the Reds were in the process of selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m.
    Andy Carroll wanted to fail his medical before signing for LiverpoolCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Liverpool needed a replacement up front and turned their attention to Carroll, who was in fine form for Newcastle.
    And as Torres completed his switch to Stamford Bridge, Carroll moved to Anfield for £35m.

    But in an interview with L’Équipe, he reflected: “From the moment Liverpool made this incredible bid on deadline day, I found myself in a helicopter, without really understanding why.
    “As I was injured, I remember hoping to fail my medical.
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    “This helped me grow up by taking me out of my comfort zone. Because I knew nothing about life and football, apart from Newcastle.“
    Carroll struggled in Merseyside and managed just 11 goals in 58 games before moving to West Ham after just two seasons with Liverpool.
    The England international would struggle with injuries over the years and he now plays his football in France’s second division for Amiens.
    Carroll, now 34, did return to St James Park in 2019 but he only scored two league goals before leaving two years later.
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    He said: “Nothing happened as I hoped it would.
    “The team wasn’t playing well, I wasn’t featuring much and, because of the pandemic.
    “We played games in an empty St James’ Park, which was sad because the club draws all its strength from the fans.”
    Carroll made a return to Newcastle in 2019Credit: Getty More

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    Mac Allister risks wrath of FA with ’12 players’ social media post as Liverpool ace gets in spat with Spurs rival Romero

    ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER could face an FA wrap for suggesting referee Simon Hooper was against Liverpool in their defeat to Tottenham.The Reds had a perfectly legal goal ruled out in the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to the North Londoners, which they finished with nine men.
    Liverpool suffered a controversial 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on SaturdayCredit: REX
    The Merseysiders had a perfectly good goal chalked off in the 34th minuteCredit: REX
    Kop star Alexis Mac Allister suggested referee Simon Hooper was on Spurs’ sideCredit: ALAMY
    Argentina international Mac Allister vented his frustrations on social media after seeing countryman and Spurs defender Cristian Romero’s Instagram post praising the win.
    He commented: “Normal when you have 12 players.”
    Romero quickly got wind of his international team-mate’s suggestion that Spurs were aided by the ref, snapping back by saying: “Cry at home.”
    FA chiefs could potentially charge Mac Allister for questioning the integrity of referee Hooper.
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    Kop chief Jurgen Klopp was slapped with a two-match ban last season for improper conduct after accusing referee of Paul Tierney of bias during their 4-3 win over Spurs.
    Liverpool could very well lodge a complaint over the VAR shambles which overshadowed Saturday’s defeat to Spurs.
    On-the-field ref and VAR Darren England wrongly ruled out Luis Diaz’s 34th minute strike for offside.
    The Merseysiders’ misery was compounded a mere two minutes later with Son Heung-Min fired Spurs into the lead.
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    The Professional Game Match Officials Limited acknowledged the clanger and have axed England from his VAR duties for today’s match between Nottingham Forest and Brentford.
    A statement read: “PGMOL can confirm the following match official appointment changes for the remaining fixtures in match round 7 in the Premier League.
    “Darren England, VAR on the Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool fixture, and Dan Cook, AVAR on the same game, have been replaced for the Nottingham Forest v Brentford and Fulham v Chelsea matches today and tomorrow night respectively.
    “Craig Pawson will now assume England’s duties as fourth official at the City Ground while Eddie Smart will take over from Cook as assistant referee at Craven Cottage.”
    A disappointed Klopp said of the decision to rule out Diaz’s goal: “I don’t think there is anything to say about the offside goal.
    “I knew about it at half-time. In the first moment, I thought it was clearly onside but you think they have a better view.
    “I am pretty sure whoever made the decision didn’t do it on purpose. It didn’t take extremely long to come to the conclusion.
    “That’s a bit strange but someone else has to explain.
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    “The linesman thought it was worth watching again – that’s why he raised the flag.
    “In the good old times, the linesman should have seen it was not offside because we had these situations quite frequently and when you see it back it is pretty clear.”
    Darren England has been axed for his VAR gaffeCredit: REX More

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    Tyson Fury says he’ll be ‘ridiculed’ for Francis Ngannou loss like Man Utd were after 7-0 hammering by Liverpool

    TYSON FURY has compared the prospect of losing to Francis Ngannou to the battering his beloved Manchester United suffered at the hands of Liverpool last season.The Gypsy King locks horns with the former UFC heavyweight champion in a controversial crossover clash in Saudi Arabia next month.
    Tyson Fury locks horns with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou next monthCredit: Getty
    The Gypsy King knows losing to Ngannou would be a stain on his legacyCredit: GETTY
    He’s likened the embarrassment to that suffered by Manchester United when they lost 7-0 to Liverpool last seasonCredit: GETTY
    Fury is an overwhelming favourite to come out of the desert dust-up victorious but insists he’s not taking the boxing novice lightly.
    And he’s all too aware of the stain losing the Saudi showdown will leave on his career, much like Manchester United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool in March has done with Erik ten Hag’s reign as Red Devils boss.
    He told TNT Sports: “He’s about 6ft 5in tall, he’s about 278 pounds, he’s about 18 or 19 stone, a dynamite puncher with both hands.
    “He’s recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the hardest puncher to have ever punched anything, so there’s that risk.
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    “The biggest risk of all is fighting an MMA fighter, and I’m the world heavyweight champion, so what happens if he beats me? Ridiculed.
    “It would be like getting beat by Liverpool for Manchester United, 7-0, wouldn’t it?
    “How do you come back from that?”
    Despite Ngannou’s lack of professional boxing experience, Fury, 35, is treating the MMA man-mountain the same way he has all his previous opponents.
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    He said: “All of these opponents I face, they are all risky fights, or are all big men – like anyone over 14 stone is a big man.
    ‘All of these guys are big lumps and when I fight them the risk is always the same, they’ve got a puncher’s chance.
    “But I never leave a stone unturned.
    ‘That’s one thing I do. I always do everything I can in my power to be successful.
    “The way I look at it is, if this guy is going to beat me then fair play to him I will shake his hand, he must be a good fighter because I’m no easy man to beat as I’ve shown over the years.
    ‘So if I can bump into somebody that can beat me, I would say, ‘Fantastic, fair play to you, well done,’ take them for a beer and that’s it.”
    Fury is set to perform a quick turnaround after his ten-rounder with Ngannou for a historic undisputed heavyweight title fight with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
    SunSport understands the fight is on course to take place in Saudi on December 23, although it could be pushed back to January. More

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    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘plot transfer raid on Dortmund for £52m former Arsenal flop’ to succeed Mo Salah

    LIVERPOOL are considering a swoop for Borussia Dortmund winger Donyell Malen, according to reports.The Reds risk losing star man Mohamed Salah in January amid mega-money interest from Saudi Arabia.
    Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing Donyell MalenCredit: Getty
    Mohamed Salah has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro LeagueCredit: PA
    Al-Ittihad launched a last-minute £150million bid for the Egyptian on transfer deadline day.
    However, Liverpool turned down the huge offer and refused to sell their star man at the last minute.
    Club chiefs are now said to be bracing themselves for another bid in January.
    And Jurgen Klopp has been scouting for a potential replacement just in case Salah does move on.
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    According to Sport Bild, the Liverpool boss has come down on Malen from Borussia Dortmund.
    Malen’s current contract runs until June 2026, so the Bundesliga giants are demanding at least £52m for his signature.
    The Dutchman has already had experience in England with Arsenal.
    He joined the club’s youth setup in 2015 and spent two years there before being sold to PSV Eindhoven.
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    Malen scored 55 goals and provided 24 assists in 116 appearances for PSV before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
    He has since scored 23 goals in 80 outings for the German side. More