With every Liverpool game seems to come a talking point provided by VAR and even more injury woes. And the game against Brighton & Hove Albion was no different as the Seagulls rescued a late point from the spot courtesy of VAR.
It wasn’t VAR’s first intervention at the cost of Liverpool either. In the first half, Mohamed Salah had his finely worked goal ruled out for offside. The Egyptian slotted home in clinical fashion past goalkeeper Matt Ryan before wheeling away in celebration.
As the rulers and lines were drawn, however, any Liverpool celebrations were cancelled, and goal disallowed by the finest of margins. Then, in the second half, in less controversial fashion on this occasion, Sadio Mane’s headed goal was rightfully ruled out for offside.
And to complete its hattrick, the technology was used in the dying minutes of the game, helping to hand Brighton the point. This time, it saw the referee use the pitchside monitor to take a look at Andy Robertson’s challenge on Danny Welbeck before pointing to the spot.
The decision, again controversial, will leave Jurgen Klopp frustrated, but Graham Potter delighted. For now, a point apiece sees Liverpool go top, one point above Tottenham Hotspur who have a game in hand, and Brighton go 15th with VAR left to thank.
VAR Denies Liverpool Once More
Jordan Henderson Importance Reiterated
Without Jordan Henderson, their captain, Liverpool unsurprisingly looked disjointed against Atalanta and in the first half in the game against Brighton. As soon as their leader re-entered the side, off the bench at halftime, that fluidity was back; that sharpness going forward returned.
The midfielder’s entrance signalled the shift in gear in the Reds’ performance. All of a sudden, the pressure applied on the Brighton backline grew. The team, as a whole, stepped further into the home side’s half, and this ultimately proved vital as Diogo Jota netted the opening goal in the 60th minute.
The Portugal international has now scored nine goals for his new side and is a contender for signing of the summer. When he arrived in Merseyside, many assumed he’d take a backup role. The fact is, however, Jota has taken those initial assumptions and torn them apart- becoming a star man in the Liverpool lineup.
After the goal, in truth, Liverpool looked comfortable. And that’s why the late penalty will frustrate Jurgen Klopp so much. When the all-important three points looked set to come, VAR arrived once more to play the role of the villain to rob the Reds- a recurring theme so far this season.
Relentless Schedule Beginning to Take its Toll
Who would have thought that playing three games in a week would result in a recurring theme of muscle injuries? Plenty of people is the answer. Many have pointed out how congested the schedule is, warning those making the decisions of the consequences it would have.
Those warnings were not given an ounce of thought, and the consequences are arriving. To use Liverpool as an example, who played in the late kick-off last Sunday, a late kick-off on Wednesday then a 12:30 kick off on Saturday, they have picked up two muscle-related injuries as a result of the relentless week.
First, Naby Keita was forced off against Leicester. Then, James Milner was forced off against Brighton. And, as the fixtures unnecessarily come thick and fast, the injuries will only continue.
Yet, nothing will change. So long as the Premier League is receiving the fee from the likes of Sky Sports and BT Sports for the arranging of these games for TV coverage, player welfare will remain unconsidered.
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