Liverpool's Dutch striker Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the equalising goal, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review, due to an earlier offside during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 20, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by PETER POWELL has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Liverpool's Dutch striker Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the equalising goal, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review, due to an earlier offside] instead of [Liverpool's Dutch striker Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the equalising goal]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool fans will have been absolutely incensed at the decision-making on show from the on-pitch official John Brooks.
Tyrone Mings was only awarded a yellow card caution for a high boot challenge on Cody Gakpo, apparently opting to avoid going to the monitor to determine the precise severity of the challenge.
The release of one photo of the Dutchman online, however, with the forward lifting up his shirt to reveal several wince-inducing marks on his torso, arguably demonstrates that the referee’s call was the wrong one.
You can catch the image below, courtesy of PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images:
Oh dear moaning when you don’t win and the ref can’t be bribed,he did his best with 15 mins added on mind,Vila are coming for you next year….
We were never going to get much from Brooks who was the 4th official involved in the confrontation at the Tottenham match.