Jurgen Klopp was furious at the decision (Picture: Getty Images)
Liverpool fans are demanding their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Tottenham on Saturday is replayed after a VAR howler wrongly ruled out Luis Diaz’s first-half effort for offside.
The decision, which arose after VAR official Darren England wrongly believed the goal had been given and he was confirming it to be onside, as opposed to changing Simon Hooper’s incorrect on-field decision, has plunged the PGMOL into a near unprecedented crisis.
The organisation has apologised directly to Liverpool, putting the blunder down to ‘a significant human error’, with a ‘a full review into the circumstances which led to the error’ promised.
Liverpool responded by issuing a strongly-worded statement on Sunday night, insisting that they will ‘explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.’
Given the vagueness surrounding Liverpool’s intentions, supporters have been left wondering whether or not the club could demand the game to be replayed.
So, is there any prospect of Spurs and Liverpool meeting each other again in the near future in north London? Here is what you need to know over a potential replay.
Will Tottenham vs Liverpool be replayed?
Unfortunately for the Reds, Tottenham vs Liverpool will not be replayed as, under the Laws of the Game, ‘the referee’s decision is final’.
The linesman put his flag up for Diaz’s effort (Picture: Getty Images)
It remains to be seen what course of action Liverpool could now decide to take, if any, but it could be that the 2019/20 champions elect to make an official complaint to the Premier League and/or the PGMOL.
Whilst Hooper’s decision to outlaw Diaz’s goal may have been incorrect, he has acted properly under the laws and VAR protocols.
The only way the game could have been replayed is if Hooper had stopped play after Spurs took the free kick to award Liverpool the goal.
This would have represented a fundamental breach of the rules and Tottenham would have had the grounds to launch an appeal.
In that scenario, the FA and the Premier League may have agreed to declare the match null and void, thus demanding the game is played again.
Whilst there is no precedent for English league games being replayed for such an event, it has indeed happened in the FA Cup when Arsenal hosted Sheffield United at Highbury in 1999.
Diaz was clearly onside
With the fifth round game tied at 1-1, Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Kelly put the ball out of play to ensure that teammate Lee Morris could receive treatment for an injury.
The visitors were naturally under the impression that the ball would be given back to them, with Ray Parlour indeed throwing the ball back to the Blades.
However, debutant Nwankwo Kanu, who was new to English football, intercepted the ball and ran towards the goal, squaring for Marc Overmars who slotted into the empty net.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said in his post-match press conference: ‘The second goal is a controversial goal and we feel that it is not right. We have the feeling that we didn’t win the game like we want to win our games.’
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Embarrassed by the circumstances surrounding their win, Arsenal immediately offered to replay the tie, with the FA granting their wish.
The replay took place ten days later with the Gunners emerging as 2-1 winners once again, with Overmars once more on the scoresheet.
FIFA, however, criticised the FA’s decision to grant the replay and insisted the result should have stood under the laws of the game.
MORE : Liverpool to appeal red card shown to Curtis Jones during controversial defeat to Tottenham
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