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      Watch Luis Suarez get BOOKED for taking sneaky look at VAR screen as ref gives penalty against Atletico Madrid in Russia

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      LUIS SUAREZ was BOOKED for taking a sneaky look at the VAR screen during Tuesday night’s clash between Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow.
      With the LaLiga giants leading 1-0, Hector Herrera appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area just five minutes after scoring his side’s opener.

      Luis Suárez got booked for looking over the referee’s shoulder at the monitor during a VAR decision.The most Luis Suárez thing ever 😂 pic.twitter.com/CJGEwJ2v7V
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2020

      Luis Suarez was booked for taking a look at the VAR monitor over the ref’s shoulder

      The ref brandished a yellow card after he caught Suarez peeking at the TVCredit: AFP

      As the referee went to take a look at the VAR monitor, Suarez followed and took a cheeky peek over his shoulder.
      The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker was promptly shown yellow for the stunt for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’.
      To compound Suarez’s misery, Anton Miranchuk converted the penalty to draw even at one-apiece in Russia.
      But Suarez is no stranger to on-field controversy.

      As well as being banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra in 2013, Suarez has been caught biting opponents THREE times.
      The Uruguayan was caught munching on PSV star Otman Bakkal during his time at Ajax and was banned for seven games.
      He was later banned for ten games after he bit then-Chelsea ace Branislav Ivanovic in 2013, before sinking his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
      The latter saw him suspended from all footballing activity for four months.

      Suarez was booked as he hunted his first goal in the 2020-21 Champions LeagueCredit: AFP

      Suarez was also sent-off during the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals against Ghana for an outrageous, deliberate handball preventing Dominic Adiyiah from scoring in the final minute with the scores level at 1-1.
      A penalty was awarded and subsequently missed – with Uruguay ultimately progressing on penalties thanks to Suarez’s ‘save’.
      Suarez also once punched Chile star Gonzalo Jara in the face in a heated 2013 international.
      Most-recently, Suarez was caught up in a cheat storm over the mandatory Italian exam he would have had to have passed to have completed his failed move to Juventus.
      The University of Perugia were believed to be the focus of the police investigations, not Suarez himself after it was claimed the player was given the answers in advance.
      Suarez instead moved to Atletico Madrid and has been in good form in the league, including four goals in five LaLiga matches.
      The striker is yet to score in the Champions League this season, though.
      In an impressive, yet bizarre career, Suarez has also appealed for handball against a GOALKEEPER – in a Copa America clash against Chile last year.

      New Atletico Madrid signing Luis Suarez says the fans and the coach are a huge motivation for joining the club More

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      Andros Townsend slams VAR after yet more controversy as winger admits he’s ‘never been a fan of emotion-ruining tech’

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      ANDROS TOWNSEND wants rid of VAR because it is ruining the raw emotion of football.
      The Crystal Palace star is no fan of referees consulting pitch-side monitors as it unnecessarily slows down the game.

      Townsend has lashed out at VAR after a controversial moment during Fulham vs PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association

      Kamara was sent off after the ref checked the pitch-side monitor and players from both sides pleading for just a yellow cardCredit: PA:Press Association

      The winger could only laugh as Fulham’s Aboubakar Kamara was sent-off in the Eagles’ 2-1 win at Craven Cottage on Saturday after ref Graham Scott had checked the incident on telly by the side of the pitch.
      That was despite Townsend and other players from both sides pleading with the official to only issue a booking.
      He told talkSPORT: “Yes, it was a bad tackle but the intention was to get the ball, it wasn’t a dangerous foul.
      “The referee walks over to the monitor, we’re all speaking to each other, the Palace and Fulham players…

      “We’re saying it’s a yellow card. I’m saying to the ref it’s a yellow.
      “Then he gets sent off and all you can do is laugh.
      “It’s gone past the point of getting angry about it. There’s a fundamental error in the rules.
      “I think going to the monitor wastes even more time.

      Ref Graham Scott even checked the pitch-side monitor before sending off KamaraCredit: PA:Press Association

      “Everybody knows if the ref goes to the monitor and it’s a penalty or a red card, he’s going to change his mind.
      “Why not let the person at Stockley Park make that decision for you? VAR is meant to be clear and obvious.
      “If it’s clear and obvious, you don’t need the ref to run over to the monitor every two minutes and delay a game when maybe a team has got momentum and you lose that.”
      Townsend claims players do not have a problem with referees, as they are just trying to apply the ever-changing laws as best they can.
      His beef is with VAR and the interpretation of the rules, which he feels have changed so much over the years that ‘we have a game we don’t even recognise’.
      The ex-England star, 29, added: “I’ve never been a fan of VAR.
      “Even if it was 100 per cent perfect and got everything right, I still think it ruins the raw emotion of football.
      “If you score a last-minute goal, you go wild, but if your shoulder’s offside it doesn’t count.
      “Then next time you score, you’re not going to celebrate as intensely, so you lose the raw emotion.
      “The fact it’s making so many mistakes, we need to get rid of it.”

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More

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      Liverpool fume in yet more VAR controversy after Fabinho appears to win ball OUTSIDE box but Sheffield Utd penalty given

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      LIVERPOOL were left fuming by more VAR controversy after Fabinho conceded a penalty for appearing to win the ball OUTSIDE the box.
      Sheffield United took a shock lead at Anfield after Sander Berge’s spot-kick, with further questions marks about the decisions made in Stockley Park.

      VAR awarded Sheffield United a penalty for Fabinho’s challenge on Oliver McBurnieCredit: Sky Sports

      Clarification from the Premier League re; Shef Utd penalty that was awarded. VAR only ruled on whether the incident was inside or outside the box, not on whether a foul took place or not.
      — Matt Critchley (@MattCritchley1) October 24, 2020

      Fabinho – who was playing centre-back for the Reds – was punished for clattering into Oliver McBurnie on the edge of his own area.
      Referee Mike Dean initially blew for a free-kick, but VAR intervened to change to a penalty based on where the foul occurered.
      However, the Premier League have confirmed that the system awarded the spot-kick without checking whether Fabinho committed a foul or not.
      Instead, VAR only noted whether the incident happened inside the box, and not whether it was actually a foul.

      The gaffe came just a week after Liverpool were incensed that Jordan Pickford didn’t see red for wrecking Virgil van Dijk’s season.
      And understandably fans were left fuming by the latest technology error.
      One tweeted: “I think what’s “clear & obvious” now is that Liverpool are being stitched up by the Premier League this season via VAR! Absolute disgrace.”
      Another said: “Outside the box, wins the ball, and yet it’s a penalty. This is a week in, week out story these days.

      “So much needs to be done about the standard of officiating in this country.”
      A third added: “The Premier League is corrupt.”
      Liverpool ultimately bounced back from the early set-back to claim a 2-1 win over the Blades following goals from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More

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      Liverpool fume in yet more VAR controversy after Fabinho appears to win ball OUTSIDE box but Sheff Utd penalty given

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      LIVERPOOL were left fuming by more VAR controversy after Fabinho conceded a penalty for appearing to win the ball OUTSIDE the box.
      Sheffield United took a shock lead at Anfield after Sander Berge’s spot-kick, with further questions marks about the decisions made in Stockley Park.

      VAR awarded Sheffield United a penalty for Fabinho’s challenge on Oliver McBurnieCredit: Sky Sports

      Clarification from the Premier League re; Shef Utd penalty that was awarded. VAR only ruled on whether the incident was inside or outside the box, not on whether a foul took place or not.
      — Matt Critchley (@MattCritchley1) October 24, 2020

      Fabinho – who was playing centre-back for the Reds – was punished for clattering into Oliver McBurnie on the edge of his own area.
      Referee Mike Dean initially blew for a free-kick, but VAR intervened to change to a penalty based on where the foul occurered.
      However, the Premier League have confirmed that the system awarded the spot-kick without checking whether Fabinho committed a foul or not.
      Instead, VAR only noted whether the incident happened inside the box, and not whether it was actually a foul.

      The gaffe came just a week after Liverpool were incensed that Jordan Pickford didn’t see red for wrecking Virgil van Dijk’s season.
      And understandably fans were left fuming by the latest technology error.
      One tweeted: “I think what’s “clear & obvious” now is that Liverpool are being stitched up by the Premier League this season via VAR! Absolute disgrace.”
      Another said: “Outside the box, wins the ball, and yet it’s a penalty. This is a week in, week out story these days.

      “So much needs to be done about the standard of officiating in this country.”
      A third added: “The Premier League is corrupt.”
      Liverpool ultimately bounced back from the early set-back to claim a 2-1 win over the Blades following goals from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More

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      David Coote DROPPED from referee role for first time this season after gaffe in Pickford’s horror tackle on Van Dijk

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      PREMIER LEAGUE official David Coote has been dropped from referee and VAR duties this weekend after his blunder in the Merseyside derby.
      Coote failed to check whether Jordan Pickford’s season-ending tackle on Virgil van Dijk should have been a red card in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.

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      David Coote has been dropped from ref and VAR duties this weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Coote failed to check if Jordan Pickford should have been sent off for his horror tackle on Virgil Van DijkCredit: PA:Press Association

      And he has now been given the boot for the first time this season.
      Coote will be on fourth official duties instead where he will be on the touchline for Manchester City’s visit to West Ham.
      As well as ignoring Pickford’s rash scissor tackle on Van Dijk – reportedly claiming it was null and void because the Dutchman was offside in the build up – Coote was also involved in controversy at the end of the match.

      He ruled out Jordan Henderson’s late effort for offside which would have put Liverpool 3-2 up.
      Sadio Mane was adjudged to have been off in the build up to the goal but pictures shown to viewers at home seemed to show the forward onside by a whisker.
      Liverpol were fuming with Coote’s decisions and demanded urgent clarification from referee body the PGMOL after the game.
      Members of the Reds’ hierarchy are reported by the Mail as saying Coote was ‘too distracted’ by Van Dijk being offside before he was poleaxed by the England keeper.

      And they are also said to feel the Premier League and the PGMOL are more concerned with briefing their own ever changing versions of events rather than engaging in dialogue with clubs.

      But PGMOL chief Mike Riley is said to have spoken to Liverpool officials on Sunday claiming the challenge WAS reviewed but not deemed to be a foul.
      Since the controversial match, Pickford and Everton striker Richarlison have both been subjected to ‘death threats’ which Merseyside police are investigating.
      This weekend will be the first time this season Coote has not been the lead official at VAR HQ at Stockley Park or the referee.

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More

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      Leeds 0 Wolves 1: Raul Jimenez bags Elland Road winner as Nuno’s side shrug off VAR setback to go sixth

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      KALVIN PHILLIPS is quickly learning how cruel a place the Premier League can be.
      It has been a golden couple of months for the local lad, who was handed his first England cap before kicking a ball in the top-flight.

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      Raul Jimenez’s strike was goalbound but flew towards the opposite corner with a deflectionCredit: AFP

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      Kalvin Phillips was the unfortunate defender in the way of the shotCredit: PA:Press Association

      And as Leeds made a storming start to life in the big time, Phillips’ stock was rising and rising.
      But this was a sobering night for the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’, whose deflected header from Raul Jimenez’s shot into his own net saw Leeds to their first home defeat.
      The Mexican’s 70th minute effort was as harmless as they come and would have been gobbled by Illan Meslier.
      But Phillips had no time to register that, and was left crestfallen as the ball flew beyond the rooted Frenchman.

      Marcelo Bielsa’s side battered Wolves in the first-half and had enough openings to be out of sight.
      Patrick Bamford has been on fire so far, masking an old problem Leeds have had ever since Bielsa walked in the door.
      They create chance after chance – but their finishing by and large is poor and this was a big reality check for Leeds and Bielsa.
      And unless they can solve that problem quick, any hopes of a miracle season fighting it out at the top end look highly unlikely.

      As they prepared for their first top-flight fixture since 2004, Bielsa was landed a huge blow just before kick-off with skipper Liam Cooper breaking down in the warm up.
      The centre-back was named in the line-up after picking up a groin injury with Scotland, but was replaced at the last minute by Pascal Struijk.
      Not a problem for the master-tactician though, who ripped up his tried and tested 4-1-4-1 for an exotic looking 3-4-1-2.
      Wolves were kitted out in their maroon and green third kit, doing an even better impression than normal of looking like the Portugal national side.
      But while fans love the strip – it’s already sold more than last season’s home shirt – they were scratching their heads when Adama Traore was named on the bench.
      And it was one of Nuno’s old boys, Helder Costa, causing all the problems early on.

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      Wolves backed up their 1-0 win over Fulham with another narrow victory over a newly-promoted sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Mexican forward Jimenez bagged his third goal of the campaignCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The ex-Wolves star caused havoc down the right, with his old club unable to live with Leeds’ rapid start.
      But despite some build-up play from the heavens they could only carve out half-openings that were squandered by Costa and Patrick Bamford.
      The passing was slick, the running off the ball super human, and the crosses raining in from both sides.
      Marauding full-back Luke Ayling was the fore of everything good, and saw a goal bound shot blocked by Max Kilman.
      They finally tested Rui Patricio in the 40th minute, but record signing Rodrigo – making his second start – fired straight at the keeper.
      While Bamford has started the season on fire, their lack of cutting edge in front of goal is nothing new to Bielsa’s side.
      And they had a whopping nine shots before the break without really ever coming close to breaking the deadlock.
      The Black Countrymen had just 31 per cent possession at half-time, but at least carried a threat on the counter.

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      Romain Saiss thought he had given Wolves the lead at Elland RoadCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      In stoppage time, with their first real opening of the game, Daniel Podence had the best chance of the half.
      A deep cross from the right by Leander Dendoncker found Romain Saiss, and for the first time Leeds looked stretched.
      The ball was played back into Podence’s path but despite catching it flush from 12-yards, Illan Meslier was on hand to beat it away.
      And they had the ball in the net on 53 minutes, only for it to be ruled out for offside by VAR Michael Oliver at Stockley Park.
      Romain Saiss thought he had just bagged a wonder goal, leathering a volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
      It had found its way to him after Podence’s cross from the right – but replays showed he was a yard offside.
      Whatever Nuno said at the break had done wonders though, with the lively Podence forcing Meslier into a smart save moments later.
      Raul Jimenez was next, but having barely touched the ball game he failed to get his shot away after creating an opening.

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      Leeds felt Raul Jimenez should have been punished for appearing to kick out in the final minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Nuno Espirito Santo left the happier of the two managersCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      But whereas Leeds could not, Wolves made their dominance count after 70 minutes.
      Struijk made the first mistake as a long ball went over his shoulder, slipping to allow Jimenez get hold of it on the right.
      And the Mexican simply waltzed across the box before checking inside the challenger and letting fly.
      It was a weak shot though, and would have been gobbled up Meslier if it was on target.

      But the hapless Phillips stuck his head out, only to see it bounce beyond the rooted Meslier.
      After such a sloppy start to the second-half Leeds finally woke up again and hurled bodies forward to try and bag the equaliser.
      Sub Ian Poveda saw a shot charged down when it looked like it was heading in, and Rodrigo agonisingly could not divert the rebound goal bound.
      But Wolves held on for a huge win on the road to move them up to sixth after an underwhelming start to the season.

      Leeds complete £16m Raphinha transfer from Rennes as 23-year-old rapid winger signs four-year contract More

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      Pickford blunder shows Prem needs MAJOR changes in refereeing… let us old boys be VARs

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      THE standard of officiating in the Premier League this season is way below what we expect.
      Wholesale changes are needed to right the way to the very top of the refereeing hierarchy to end this decline.

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      Pickford escaped punishment for this tackle on Van Dijk – leading to another debate about the effectiveness of VARCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      We’ve had yet another weekend of poor decisions, topped off by Jordan Pickford escaping any punishment for that shocking challenge on Virgil van Dijk — with VAR not even looking at it.
      Michael Oliver will be disappointed he didn’t see the challenge but there were players blocking his view.
      I know exactly how he feels, because I missed Wigan winger Callum McManaman’s infamous lunge on Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara seven years ago.
      This is when you want VAR to come and help you — when a clear and obvious error has been made.It’s evident things aren’t right with the leadership and direction of management within the refereeing fraternity.

      We have got some really good referees and you don’t become a bad ref overnight.Just like players don’t become bad players overnight.
      It’s the severe lack of coaching, leadership and direction of our refs that is responsible for indifferent performances.

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      Van Dijk went off injured after being clattered by the Everton goalkeeperCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Halsey missed the foul by Callum McManaman on Massadio HaidaraCredit: Rex Features
      Like with managers — the best coaches turn average players into good players and good players into excellent players.
      That’s no different with referees and we have got people now that are coaching at the top level that have never refereed at the top level — or even been referees.

      Take, for instance, Adam Watts, who manages the referees. He is a nice guy but has never refereed. He was an assistant ref, who is now a Select Group manager.
      He is telling the referees what he wants from them. But you need to have been involved at the top level to know how to handle different personalities and get them onside.
      Say, for argument’s sake, it was someone like me. At least I have refereed at the top level, managed games and made mistakes. It is how you move on from those mistakes.

      It’s evident things aren’t right with the leadership and direction of management within the refereeing fraternity.

      Referees are like players — we both thrive on our confidence. And some referees, like players, need a kick up the backside.Some need a little bit of loving with an arm around them now and again.
      But you make a mistake nowadays and you could be put out to grass for three or four weeks, depending who you are.You have the likes of  Oliver, Andy Taylor, Martin Atkinson and, love him or hate him, Mike Dean  — they are all very good referees.

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      VAR was introduced at the beginning of the 2019-20 season – but has only added to controversy surrounding refereeingCredit: PA:Press Association

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      David Coote was the VAR official during the Merseyside derby Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      They are the referees they trust, the guys they don’t trust just pick up the pieces.So you have now got three divisions within the refereeing group — the top order, middle order and lower order.
      I don’t blame our referees, I think they are confused. You cannot be an active referee one day and then go into the bunker and do VAR the next day.Leave the active referees to referee and bring in your ex-referees, who have officiated at the highest level and know the game, to do VAR.
      We have got the likes of myself, Chris Foy, Phil Dowd, Lee Probert and Roger East who have all recently retired. We could be brought back as VAR operatives because the workload on the current group is too much.

      I am not questioning the current referees’ integrity — but you could sometimes suggest they are looking after their mates.
      They are all familiar with each other, whereas if you had active officials and non-active officials, then there wouldn’t be that problem.
      VAR is there for one reason and one reason alone — has the match official made a clear and obvious error? More

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      Watch controversial offside as Jordan Henderson claims VAR ‘bend lines’ after late winner scratched off for Liverpool

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      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”.

      This Jordan Henderson goal didn’t count in the end after a controversial offside call…But the no-look pass from Thiago to Mané deserved some love 👏 pic.twitter.com/b1kQaf4E9Q
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 17, 2020

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      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.

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      Henderson’s joy quickly turned to bemusement as VAR intervened with his winning goal Credit: Reuters

      😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
      — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 17, 2020

      Whatever your allegiance, we need to have a good look at what we want football to be like. I love the game to bits but this just feels wrong 👇🏻🤯 pic.twitter.com/MTgpwdZPAN
      — Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) October 17, 2020

      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.

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      Pickford’s reckless challenge on Van Dijk was not punished by the referee or the VARCredit: EPA

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      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. More