Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has welcomed the announcement that Premier League referees will now be encouraged to use pitchside monitors to help with VAR decisions.
Monitors have been stationed at the side of the pitch in each top-flight match since the introduction of VAR in the Premier League at the beginning of this season, but instead of using them referees have relied on information from the VAR officials to make their decisions.
Those officials – who are stationed at the Premier League HQ in Stockley Park – have been making their calls based on numerous television replays before advising the on-pitch referee on what to do.
The protocol has been slightly different in the FA Cup, where referee Michael Oliver consulted the screen before deciding to sent off Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic in a third round tie against Derby County earlier this month.
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Referees have also been seen consulting the screens in cup matches since VAR was first introduced in the competition in the 2017/18 season, but curiously that approach has appeared to be abandoned in the Premier League.
It is felt that the on-pitch referee consulting the screen in order to make their own decision is a preferable option as that official will have a feel for the game.
Liverpool boss Klopp, whose side take on Manchester United at Anfield this weekend, is one Premier League boss who is behind the move.
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“The Only reason for having it is to use it. I don’t know why they aren’t used so far,” said Klopp on Friday.
“We want the right decisions so we should use all sources. It won’t happen five or six times a game. It’s just about 100% clarification that is needed.”
