Supporters of Liverpool have taken to social media in numbers on Saturday evening, to take aim at the VAR system in ruthless fashion.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops, of course, are currently locked in action, in a crunch Premier League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds headed into proceedings brimming with confidence, in the midst of a run of seven successive victories across all competitions.
As things stand in north London, however, they look set to be forced to settle for a point.
This comes amid what has proven a hectic matchup to date.
The scoreline currently stands at a goal apiece, after Son Heung-min’s opener was cancelled out by Cody Gakpo on the stroke of the interval.
CODY GAKPO EQUALISES FOR LIVERPOOL! 🔴
But at what cost…🤕 pic.twitter.com/CZYUNuIvDy
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 30, 2023
This comes after hosts Spurs were the beneficiaries of a pair of major VAR decisions.
First, after Curtis Jones was initially booked for a challenge on Yves Bissouma, referee Simon Hooper was called to the pitchside monitor, culminating in the midfielder’s yellow card being upgraded to a red.
CURTIS JONES IS SENT OFF! 🟥
.@GNev2 disagrees… pic.twitter.com/D7Z21Oorvk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 30, 2023
Then, after Luis Diaz appeared to have put Liverpool in front, another VAR check saw the Colombian’s fine finish ruled out for offside.
Confusion reigned, however, upon ensuing replays appearing to showcase Diaz in an onside position upon the ball being played.
And the social media backlash has since been as widespread as it has swift, with just some of the highlights from across Twitter showcased below:
VAR are a disgrace. They don’t look at the footage where Curtis Jones gets the ball close up first and they look at the worst possible freeze frame and pin it as a red. Every tackle is a high possibility of a red card nowadays, absolute joke.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) September 30, 2023
— nathan (@nathanmcmiller9) September 30, 2023
@premierleague @FA_PGMOL how can this be anything other than corruption?
— Mackie (@TravellingMack) September 30, 2023
That is an absolutely shocking decision. Curtis Jones went for the ball, as his foot was in the air the ball was moved under his feet Bissouma. His action carried him through.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) September 30, 2023
There’s no way the referee isn’t influenced by the fact he arrives to the screen to see a still that looks like Jones absolutely crunching Bissouma. Such a soft red card.
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) September 30, 2023
Miles onside. You cheating rats. pic.twitter.com/swPEdpKem2
— – (@JoshLFC1909) September 30, 2023
A still of the Curtis Jones ‘tackle’ when approaching the VAR screen and no lines to check the ‘offside’. Corruption at its finest.
— Nic (@LiverpoolNicola) September 30, 2023
How was this offside??? VAR failing on the red for Jones and this “offside” for Diaz #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/igplDIW7Du
— ʟᴀʀ-ʙᴀʀ (@LarWright) September 30, 2023
If this was the first image on the screen-side pitch, does Jones see red?? Absolutely biased to leave the still image of Jones after his foot came off the ball on the screen by VAR . . . #TOTLIV #LFC pic.twitter.com/Z8gmBT7MIQ
— Townie (@JayhawkYNWA) September 30, 2023
Simon Hooper should be arrested at Full Time for corruption.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) September 30, 2023
They gave this offside 5 minutes after giving Curtis Jones a soft red card.
This is actually the most blatant corruption I’ve ever seen. Absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/gI0JHGSP2c
— The Kop Watch (@TheKopWatch) September 30, 2023
So we all agreeing that Jone shouldn’t have been sent off.
Diaz was onside so the goal should have stood.
Simon Hooper needs his P45.
The whole of refereeing in the Prem, need’s serious investigation.
— Alisson the 🐐 (@0PINI0N4T3D) September 30, 2023
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