Wenger move to ‘fix’ VAR
Simeone masterclass stumps Reds
games, including a humiliating defeat to lower tier Leonesa in the Copa del Rey.
The Argentinian had guided Atletico to two Champions League finals, won the Europa League twice and La Liga once, but it felt like he was running out of credit in the bank.
Yet reports of Atletico’s demise appeared premature when the hosts made a blistering start to shellshock the Reds.
Having brought the ‘Thunder’ of AC/DC to the airwaves before kickoff, Simeone’s men then delivered the lightning inside four minutes.
Koke’s corner came over and Niguez bundled the ball home from close range having caught the visiting defence napping. It was the worst possible start against a side that relish defending.
Atletico had kept 10 clean sheets in their last 11 Champions League knockout games at home.
Simeone’s side could have made it 2-0 after 25 minutes when Virgil van Dijk’s miscued header let in Morata, but Alisson was there to block his shot
Klopp said Atletico would be ready for a “big fight” and he was right.
The Reds started to build some pressure but chances were few and far between.
The closest they came to troubling Jan Oblak was when the rampaging Andy Robertson fired wide after 30 minutes, before Mo Salah had a shot headed behind for a corner and Jordan Henderson shot just wide.
Atletico were playing to their strengths and the onus was on the visitors to do the same and find a way to break them down, having found themselves behind at the break for the first time since November. (seated) believes attacking players should be ruled onside if ANY part of their body is in line with the last opponent.
Wenger feels the current law is loaded in favour of defenders.
And with the video referral system, goals are being disallowed if any part of a player strays beyond the last defender.
Wenger’s FIFA role includes working on the International Football Association Board, the body that governs the laws of the game.
He said: “I am in the middle of the controversial situation with VAR and it is clear the most difficult thing that people have with it is the offside rule.
“You have had offsides by... a fraction of a centimetre, offside literally by a nose. I believe it is the time to do this very quickly.
“Instead, you will not be offside if any part of the body that can score a goal is in line with the last defender. That will sort it out.”
FIFA will also insist all major grounds have big screens so fans know why decisions have been taken.
Manchester United and Liverpool are the only Premier League clubs without a big screen.