Klopp: Managers can lose jobs over VAR decisions
Jurgen Klopp has claimed VAR could end up costing managers their jobs after the latest controversy of the season at Villa Park, where Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-1 yesterday.
Liverpool thought they had scored a 27th minute equaliser when Roberto Firmino converted Sadio Mane’s cross but he was deemed to be offside. The Premier League issued a statement to say the Brazilian’s armpit had infringed play.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith - who was thrilled with his side’s performance, admitted he thought the goal should have stood and Klopp, who has seen a number of big calls go against his team this season, including one at Old Trafford last month, hopes action will be taken. “When we talk about serious moments, very important moments in football, it’s not right to sit here and everyone wants to laugh about it,’ said Klopp, whose team snatched a 2-1 win at Villa Park.
“It is too serious. Managers get sacked for losing football games. They just have to clarify it.
“I am not saying anyone is doing it on purpose. My analyst showed it to me after the game as I didn’t see it. They are not doing it on purpose but we need to sort a few things obviously.
“Nobody talks about the handball situation with Matt Targett as it was not whistled. Was it a penalty? The shot hit the arm and in the good old times it was a penalty.
“It sometimes goes for or against you - that is not the problem, we just have to make sure the new system helps the game and not confuse it. That is in the interest of all of us.’
WHAT HAPPENED
With their 10-month long unbeaten league record seemingly about to end, the Reds dug deep to conjure a stellar finish, begun when Andy Robertson arrived at the back post to head them level.
Mane then provided the final, remarkable twist, glancing a header from Trent AlexanderArnold’s corner past Tom Heaton and into the far corner of the net.
It was a cruel blow to Villa, who had led from the 21st minute through summer-signing
Trezeguet’s first goal for the club - a volleyed finish from John McGinn’s free-kick.
The home side had shown huge endeavour, in a display that saw them match the European champions in the first half and then hold them largely at arm’s length until the dying moments of the second.