Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp criticises VAR for allowing controversial Manchester United goal

Jurgen Klopp believes the Premier League’s VAR processes must be reviewed after Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Adam Lallana’s late equaliser cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s opening goal to ensure that Klopp’s title contenders would maintain their unbeaten record.

But Klopp was frustrated with the manner of Rashford’s goal, which was awarded despite VAR checking a Victor Lindelof tackle on Divock Origi in the build-up.

Klopp believed that referee Martin Atkinson only allowed play to continue because VAR would correct any potential mistake. 

But the contact between Lindelof and Origi did not pass the ‘clear and obvious’ test required for a decision to be overturned.

“The ref let the game run because he has VAR, but the VAR then says it was not clear, so they don’t overrule it,” Klopp claimed. 

“That doesn’t make too much sense. It’s a clear VAR issue. I am not angry or whatever, it’s just wow. I saw it was a foul and nothing else. 

“Mr Atkinson I’m sure would have whistled if there was no VAR involved, but now we have somebody else who can make the decision. But somebody else is not making the decision.”

Liverpool were also disallowed an equalising goal at the end of the first half when Sadio Mane was judged to have handled the ball by VAR.

Klopp largely accepted that decision, but still argued against the high bar which a questionable refereeing decision must meet before it is overturned.

“It’s the process, that’s important,” he said. “In general I think it’s good that we have VAR but at the moment it looks like the only thing which works properly is handball, because they made the rule that if your hand is somehow involved in a goal, it’s disallowed.

“Offside works pretty well, even if not everyone is happy. I can accept that. But the process where the ref makes a decision because they have VAR but then VAR says ‘no, that’s fine’, that doesn’t work. 

“On the pitch the referee decides to let it run because we have VAR, but it is not overruled because it is not ‘obvious’, that makes no sense. 

“How can you not say it’s a foul? It was 100 per cent clear. I was so surprised I could not even be angry!”

And despite claiming that it was no excuse for his team’s failure to win, Klopp also claimed that United set out to defend.

Solskjaer’s side have been accused of only being able to create chances on the counter-attack and employed a similar style on Sunday, picking Liverpool off with pace.

“It doesn’t frustrate me,” Klopp said. “I’m not the person who should be concerned about this style. It’s just a fact that when we come here, they just defend. It’s OK, no criticism, it’s just a fact.

“When United plays Liverpool, usually you’d think both teams would play like this, would try. We are the one team everyone is on their toes when United play us. With the quality they have, the way they set up is really difficult.

“It’s no excuse. I thought we could do better today. But you cannot play each team like this.”