Liverpool’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, expressed his dissatisfaction with the VAR official, David Coote, following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Anfield. Klopp believed that a penalty should have been awarded to Liverpool after Martin Odegaard’s handball in the first half. This decision, or lack thereof, ultimately had an impact on the match outcome. Although Mohamed Salah managed to equalize Gabriel’s early opener, the draw leaves Liverpool trailing behind Arsenal by just one point.
Klopp questioned the judgment of the officials, stating that a “guy in an office” should have recognized the handball and called for a penalty. He highlighted the inconsistency between the on-field referees and VAR officials, who seemingly failed to intervene despite the clear infringement. Klopp was puzzled as to why the VAR official, Coote, did not recommend a review for such a contentious situation. He openly expressed his frustration, demanding an explanation for the overlooked handball incident.
On the other side, Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, largely avoided commenting on the controversy surrounding the handball incident. Arteta chose instead to focus on the game as a whole, admitting that he had not reviewed the specific decisions. This nonchalant approach to the incident might suggest a lack of concern or perhaps a desire to avoid controversy. However, Arteta’s reserved stance did not diminish the significance of the result, as Arsenal secured their position at the top of the Premier League table on Christmas Day.
Liverpool’s disappointment extended beyond the questionable refereeing decisions. Left-back Kostas Tsimikas suffered a broken collarbone during the match, following a collision with Klopp on the touchline. This unfortunate incident further compounds Liverpool’s defensive woes, as Tsimikas joins Andy Robertson on the sidelines. Robertson has been recovering from shoulder surgery since October, leaving Liverpool with limited options on the left-hand side of defense. Klopp expressed his concern for Tsimikas’s injury, emphasizing the impact it had on the team and admitting that he would trade his own well-being for the player’s swift recovery.
Looking forward, both Liverpool and Arsenal have crucial fixtures coming up. Liverpool has a chance to regain the top spot with a win against Burnley on December 26th. On the other hand, Arsenal will face West Ham on December 28th in their bid to maintain their position at the top of the table. Klopp highlighted the quality of the two teams and recognized the intensity and competitiveness of their recent clash. He believes that his team can draw confidence from their performance against a formidable opponent like Arsenal.
Arteta echoed Klopp’s sentiments about the game, acknowledging the intensity and excitement it generated. Despite the controversial decisions, both managers recognized the strength of their teams and the quality of the match they witnessed.
Liverpool’s draw against Arsenal was overshadowed by the frustration surrounding the VAR decisions. Klopp’s criticism of the officiating highlighted the ongoing issues with the implementation of VAR in football. Additionally, the injury to Tsimikas further compounded Liverpool’s problems, especially in defense. Nonetheless, both managers acknowledged the intensity and quality of the game, emphasizing the significance of such encounters in shaping the destiny of the Premier League title.