Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp called for clarity on offside decisions and VAR after star forward Roberto Firmino was harshly denied a goal against Aston Villa due to his armpit being offside.
Premier League leaders Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday thanks to last-gasp headers from Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane, canceling out Trezeguet’s goal in the first half.
It was an imperative win which maintained Liverpool’s six-point lead over titleholders Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table, while also extending their unbeaten run in England’s top flight to 28 matches.
However, Klopp’s side may not have needed to rely on late drama if Firmino’s goal in the first half been allowed to stand shortly after the home side took the lead.
Mane delivered a cross for his strike partner Firmino and the Brazilian finished off the move, only for the linesman’s offside flag to disallow the goal.
Then VAR took over to assess the decision, but even though Firmino appeared to be onside, the decision was not overturned, with the Premier League’s official Twitter account later explaining that the Brazilian’s armpit was adjudged to have been offside but Jurgen Klopp wasn’t too impressed with the latest technology.
The 52-year-old German manager was flabbergasted by the decision after the game and while speaking to reporters said, “You what? His armpit? We won 2-1, so it’s now not that serious. But we are talking about serious moments, it’s not right that we are sitting here talking about it and everybody wants to laugh. There’s nothing to laugh about, to be honest. A manager can get sacked for losing football games. I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. We just have to clarify it. I don’t say anybody is doing it on purpose.”
