Kop can inspire us roars Klopp
Rafa calls for VAR in blast at officials
Ian Murtagh
RAFA BENITEZ has demanded the immediate introduction of VAR after Wolves defender Willy Boly elbowed Ayoze Perez in the face during Newcastle’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat.
The Newcastle boss lashed out at decisions he claims blew his side’s chances of a home win yesterday, saying: “We need VAR right now.”
Benitez insists referee Mike Dean was wrong to send off DeAndre Yedlin and also blundered on Instagram that confirmed his belief he had been a victim of racism.
“I just want to say, I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point heard I will speak up,” he posted.
“Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game, as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better.”
Alongside his post he included an online screen grab of a story in January about City team-mate Tosin Adarabioyo, who had bought JURGEN KLOPP has sent an SOS to Liverpool fans ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Napoli by urging: Make Anfield a bearpit.
The Reds need to win 1-0 or by a two-goal margin to make certain of a place in the knockout stages and Klopp wants another of the club’s legendary home atmospheres similar to those which inspired glorious wins over Roma, Olympiakos and Auxerre.
Napoli, second in Serie A behind Juventus, beat Liverpool 1-0 in Italy two months ago and Klopp said: “First of all we were not good there so we would like to show that we are better than in Napoli. So again we have to ask for
when Boly escaped a red card late on.
Benitez believes that if VAR was introduced now rather than next season, Yedlin would have been booked in the 56th minute for his foul on Diogo Jota rather than being sent off.
To complete a miserable day for Benitez, Matt Doherty’s injury-time winner condemned the Magpies to a seventh home defeat this season after Perez had cancelled out Jota’s opener. He was still seething half an hour after the final whistle, convinced the game turned on the incidents.
“We were controlling the game and doing enough to create chances to win the game,” he said. “You see the red card and the elbow in the face of Ayoze, which is a penalty and red card.
“It was so obvious. Anyone can see that, so we need VAR right now. You can see the two incidents in the video, unbelievable. So we lose three points and have to keep fighting in difficult circumstances.
“When you care and you are fighting to do the best for your team, you cannot believe this type of situation can happen in the Premier League.”
Benitez protested to the fourth official when Boly caught Perez in the face but said: “I’m wasting my time when I try to explain things in a polite way, it seems it’s not working.” On Yedlin’s sending-off, he felt Jamaal Lascelles was close enough to his team-mate after Jota had been pulled back.
Not surprisingly, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo disagreed with Benitez: “I have seen the replays and the law is clear, Lascelles could not have arrived in time to avoid a one on one with the keeper.
“And as for Boly, it was a clear elbow but, from my point of view, he jumps and did not see Perez.”