Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp criticized the referee regarding the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after the victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League continued at Anfield Stadium on Sunday (29/12) evening local time.
Two important moments involving VAR occurred when Liverpool defeated Wolverhampton. The first after Sadio Mane scored in the 42nd minute, and the second occurred at the end of the first half when Wolverhampton’s goal was disallowed.
In both incidents referee Anthony Taylor took a long decision as he waited for the results of VAR referees’ monitoring. Klopp did not like the way the Premier League referees took the decision to use VAR. The German coach thinks the referee should be able to make decisions faster.
“Now we are in December and entering January [in cold weather]. The players just stand and wait too long, that’s not good. I prefer if the referee looks directly at the screen,” Klopp was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
Referee Taylor stopped the match for more than two minutes in two VAR incidents in the Liverpool vs Wolverhampton match. Taylor waited until the referee in charge of guarding VAR Simon Hooper made a decision.
The use of VAR in different countries. In the Premier League the referee waits for the VAR referee to make a decision, while in a number of other leagues, such as in the Italian League, the referee looks directly at the VAR screen to make a decision.
Klopp said the system of using VAR in the Premier League would take time, especially if the referee had to see the possibility of offside, as happened with Wolverhampton’s goal.
“If there is an offside, it will take time. But if it is possible the handball will be faster. That’s the way we do it in England at the moment. We are also in another position [disadvantaged] VAR against Aston Villa. Things like this can happen, no anyone likes it, “Klopp said.
Victory over Wolverhampton put Liverpool back 13 points ahead of Leicester City at the top of the Premier League standings. Liverpool had still one game in hand, if they manage to win it, the gap with second place Leicester City would be more farther.
