Liverpool fans made their feelings quite clear about one recurring frustration during the Premier League clash against Leicester tonight.
On two occasions during the second half, the Reds had the ball in the visitors’ net but were made to wait for the input of VAR before learning of their fate.
While the officials in Stockley Park confirmed the on-field decision to allow Curtis Jones’ 49th-minute strike to stand, they also looked at a possible goal for Cody Gakpo after the assistant referee had flagged for offside, but another lengthy review saw the original call retained.
Liverpool fans fume over lengthy VAR reviews
The two VAR checks took at least five minutes combined, with the Liverpool fans at Anfield vocal in their disdain over the length of time for both decisions.
The crowd’s ire wasn’t lost on Neil Johnston for BBC Sport, who wrote (21:29): “This is the second lengthy VAR check of the game. Liverpool’s fans are not impressed and are making their feelings clear.”
VAR still hugely flawed in the Premier League
Even with one of the decisions (rightly) going in Liverpool’s favour, it was so galling for Reds fans at Anfield and watching from home or out and about that both VAR reviews took so long, particularly when neither resulted in the on-field decision being reversed.
The technology was brought in with the intention of eradicating ‘clear and obvious errors’, something which should be identifiable within 40-45 seconds of checking a replay.
It’s not just the interminable reviews which are so frustrating for spectators, either, but also the opacity surrounding them, with fans not privy to the discussions which take place among the officials on the pitch and in Stockley Park.
Surely it’s not asking too much for those conversations to be broadcast in real-time, and it’d improve the VAR process no end if a reasonable time limit were implemented so that obvious errors would be corrected without ridiculous delays.
In its sixth season in the Premier League, the operation of the technological assistance still has so much room for improvement.
VAR has become Very Annoying Referee.
Have a 30 second time limit on these checks, complete with full audio and then if it’s not resolved by VAR it reverts back to the ref. Ends all controversy.
As an ardent Liverpool fan, it is unacceptable for these lengthy delays with CVAR decisions. Shake it up please, and let the fame flow. We’re in the starting blocks, to complete the race.
I’d like to know if an attacking player passing the ball to his teammate while in front of the ball. Do they check offside from his foot or the defenders foot even when his foot is in front of the defenders foot. Look at 2nd offside still VAR check as Salah was passing the ball with his left foot but his right foot was in front of the defenders foot.
VAR works everywhere else. The pgmol refs should be in investigated and life style audits done on all there family and friends. Bookies have the most influence in PL and these clowns are in it to get paid.