“VAR’s critical slot after Liverpool’s defeat to PSG”

The controversy is brewing in the world of European football, and Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool, is not holding back in his criticism of VAR, accusing the video system of having been decisive against his team in the tie with Paris Saint-Germain. On a night that could have changed the course of the tie, VAR ruled out a penalty in favor of the Reds, leaving the Dutch coach furious and questioning the fairness of decisions that have harmed Liverpool throughout the season.

In the clash last Tuesday, Liverpool was fighting against an unfavorable 2-0 result from the first leg when, in the 64th minute, it seemed they had found a turning point: a penalty awarded against PSG could have reignited the tie. However, the intervention of VAR, led by Marco di Bello, informed referee Maurizio Mariani that he had made a mistake. The incident involved Alexis Mac Allister, who fell in the area after contact with PSG defender Willian Pacho. The doubt lies in the nature of that contact, which many consider insufficient to justify the foul. The initial decision was overturned, and shortly after, Ousmane Dembélé scored for PSG, sealing the score at 2-0 and ensuring the French side’s progression with an aggregate of 4-0.

Arne Slot does not hide his frustration: “I’m not surprised. Many decisions have gone against us this season. It’s simple: if the referee doesn’t award the penalty, VAR is never going to overturn it. I’ve seen so many soft penalties given, but they say VAR cannot intervene because there was contact. That is exactly what we see clearly.”

The Dutch coach also points to other controversial situations throughout the season, where his team has faced similar penalties without VAR intervention. One such case occurred at Brentford, where Virgil van Dijk was accused of a minor foul in the box that was ultimately turned into a penalty after video review. Another incident recalled was a penalty against Liverpool at Elland Road, although in this case, VAR confirmed the referee’s initial decision.

The question raised by Slot is pertinent: is VAR applied consistently? Throughout the season, Liverpool has been the team most affected by penalties awarded after review, with three incidents against them in the Premier League – more than any other club, tied with Brighton. Furthermore, Brighton’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was penalized by VAR in an incident against Manchester City, highlighting that Liverpool has been a target for these decisions.

On the other hand, Liverpool has received only two penalties this season, neither of which was awarded following VAR intervention, and both were against Burnley. Teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham have yet to benefit from a single penalty, raising questions about the fairness of these crucial decisions.

When it comes to overturned decisions, Liverpool has had six VAR interventions against them, a situation only surpassed by Fulham with nine. This statistic reinforces the sense of injustice that Slot publicly expresses.

In summary, the Liverpool manager has reasons to be outraged. The VAR, designed to correct obvious errors and ensure fairness, seems to be punishing Liverpool more than other teams, decisively altering results and possibly the fate of entire competitions. If football aims for justice, it is urgent to review how VAR is applied, ensuring that the criteria are uniform and transparent, preventing clubs like Liverpool from being victims of controversial and inconsistent interpretations. With pressure mounting, this could be a battle that goes far beyond the pitch.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.