REPLAY: Significant human error saw Liverpool had a goal wrongly disallowed in their 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Sunday

By Sports Reporter

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants the Premier League game against Tottenham to be replayed after Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly disallowed by the video assistant referee.

VAR Darren England and assistant Dan Cook did not overrule when Diaz was flagged offside at 0-0 on Saturday. Liverpool lost 2-1 thanks to a 96th-minute own goal from Joel Matip.

“Something like this never happened, so that is why I think a replay is the right thing to do,” said Klopp.  BBC Sport understands there is no prospect of the Premier League considering a replay and it is unclear whether there has been a formal request from Liverpool. Asked whether the club had asked – or would ask – the Premier League for a replay, Klopp said: “At this stage we are still going through the information we have.”

Tottenham v Liverpool VAR Q&A: What happens now? Full transcript of VAR decision over disallowed Diaz goal

Referees’ body PGMOL released the audio of discussions between the match officials over the offside on Tuesday. In the audio, England says the check is “perfect” before swearing when he realises a mistake has been made.

Klopp said: “The audio didn’t change it at all. It is an obvious mistake. There should be solutions for that. The outcome should be a replay. But it probably won’t happen.

“The argument against that would be it opens the gates. It is unprecedented. I’m used to wrong and difficult decisions, but something like this never happened.” After releasing the audio, PGMOL said the error was a result of a “lapse of concentration and loss of focus”.  The controversy has prompted a debate about the use and efficacy of VAR.

The Premier League added that the incident in Saturday’s game, and the subsequent review of what led to the incorrect decision, highlighted “systemic weaknesses in the VAR process”. The league plan to undertake a comprehensive review alongside the referees’ body to “seek consistently higher standards of VAR performance”.

Although Klopp said the mistake was not made “on purpose”, he added: “These things should not happen. Other mistakes should not happen. Find a solution to deal with it.

“We rush them and we get a quick decision, but the wrong decision.” Klopp said it would have been better to correct the mistake once it had been realised and said he wants a protocol put in place to avoid similar problems again.

He said: “If that would happen again, I would say replay. Or much, much better than a replay – sort it in that moment. Common sense.”  There is no precedent in the UK for a result to be changed or a game to be replayed because of a refereeing error.

A 1999 FA Cup third-round tie was played again after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger offered Sheffield United a replay following a controversial winning goal in the first game. The officials involved in the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have not been selected for this weekend’s Premier League games, with England and Cook stood down for the rest of last weekend.

The on-field referee at Tottenham-Liverpool, Simon Hooper, will be the VAR for Bournemouth’s trip to Everton on Saturday, while Michael Oliver, who was the fourth official, will feature in two games this weekend.

“I am not angry with anybody at all,” said Klopp. “They made a mistake and they felt horrible that night, I am 100% sure. That’s enough, for me. Nobody needs further punishment.”  Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones were sent off against Spurs. Liverpool failed with an appeal against Jones’ red card for a challenge on Yves Bissouma and he will serve a three-game ban.

“The ref got called to the screen and saw for the first three seconds a frozen picture. I would give immediately a red card for that picture,” said Klopp. 

“Then he sees the replay in slow motion. I would have given a red card for the slow motion, but in real time it is not a red card.  “You appeal it then the FA panel tells you ‘no, it is not a clear and obvious mistake’ and I think it is.

“The ref’s first decision was yellow. The clear and obvious mistake is showing a frozen picture and a replay in slow motion.”

ROCKING TO MALESELA’S TUNE

NEW ERA: Bakgaka welcomes new coach in bid to reinforce their technical team and change their fortunes

By Masoja Cele

Baroka FC will take a short trip on Sunday to play Venda Football Club in the Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture at Malamulele Stadium, Giyani and they will want to welcome their newly appointed manager with an emphatic win. Kick-off 15:00.

With the appointment of the experience Dan ‘’Dance’ Malesela as Baroka FC mentor one is tempted to predict a bright future for   Bakgakga. Or will the Global Village team dance to Malesela philosophy?

Baroka have not been able to handle the pressure of playing in the second tier ever since they were relegated back 2021/22 season. They are currently dwelling fourteen on the log standing with three points from three draws.

It remains to be seen whether they can bounce strongly with Malesela at the helm. They can’t afford to continue to donate points so cheaply if they want to secure their place in the league or even fight for promotion to the DStv Premiership.

But, Bakgakga played fairly well the past weekend stealing a point against Casric Stars.

Perhaps, with the arrival of Malesela the players would want to impress the coach and perform more responsible. The former Orlando Pirates defender and captain is a no-nonsense mentor. 

He believes in hard working discipline players. Malesela would definitely expect his players to quickly adapt to his coaching philosophy, as they are not in a comfortable position in the league. Bakgakga could spring a surprise or two under Malesela mentorship this season.

He brings load experience to the Baroka side. He has worked with teams like Chippa United, TS Galaxy, Royal AM and Marumo Gallants. The likeable mentor started his Baroka journey with a 1-1 draw against Upington City on Wednesday.

Coach Malesela will have to revitalize the Global Village players who had not perform to their best ability in the past campaign. Long serving stars like left back Ananias Gebhardt, defensive midfielder Stanley Malihva, right winger Tshepo Mofokeng, and Shepherd Mangoale could sway the match in Baroka’s favour.

A win for Bakgakga ba Mphahlele will definitely be a confidence booster to the team.

Meanwhile, Venda FC has also made changes in their technical team. Former Richards Bay coach Simo Dladla has been tasked with the role of leading the Limpopo side.  The Venda team started the 2023/24 campaign under the tutelage of Joel Masutha. However, the former Black Leopards goalkeeper was relieved from his duties after failing to win matches.

So far Dladla has managed four points after playing three matches.

The Venda based side faltered against NB La Masia last weekend going down 1-0 at home. They have played five games and collected five points.

Coach Dladla will expect his charges to put up a bruising fight and win the match against their neighbours.

His side will heavily depend on the likes of the workaholic midfielder Zebulon Mtshweni, the veteran forward Thabiso Nkoane and the attacking midfielder Samkelo Mbambo to score the goals. Experience goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku will be required to be at his best to save his team from defeat.