Cody Gakpo’s disallowed goal may have clinched Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday
The Premier League has explained an unusual VAR procedure that resulted in Cody Gakpo’s equalizer for Liverpool being disallowed. On Saturday, the Reds were chasing the game against Aston Villa, and while Roberto Firmino equalized late on, Jurgen Klopp could have had all three points if Gakpo’s close-range shot had stood.
High-flying Villa got off to a flying start at Anfield, with Jacob Ramsey volleying home at the back post to hush the home crowd. In their pursuit of a top-four berth, Klopp and his players will settle for nothing less than a win, with Manchester United and Newcastle well ahead.
They appeared to be given a lifeline when Gakpo lashed into the bottom corner, but after a lengthy VAR consultation, referee John Brooks concluded that the goal could not stand. Despite the fact that the former PSV Eindhoven forward remained with the club during the move, supporters were baffled by the final decision.
Ezra Konsa deflected Luis Diaz’s header back across goal, landing at the feet of Virgil van Dijk, who was standing beyond the last line of defense but appeared to be played onside by Konsa’s deflection before crossing back in for the goal, but Brooks determined that the Villa defender’s contribution was not intentional.
Even though Firmino scored a late equalizer in his last game at Anfield, the result was still a stinging blow for the Reds, who will almost certainly be forced to compete in Europe’s second-tier club tournament next season.
Klopp was forced to watch the game from the stands after getting a touchline ban for his comments regarding referee Paul Tierney last month. Despite the outrage over Villa’s disallowed goal and Tyrone Mings’ potential red card, the German preferred to disregard the issues after the final whistle.
Instead, Klopp chastised Villa, who are also aiming for a European position under Unai Emery, for wasting time. “Wow,” Klopp said of the time wasting.
“We saw the ball boys leave the country during the game against Sevilla.” How long did Roma and Leverkusen have the ball in play? It’s something that everyone is doing. This has occurred in a lot of games this season. Nothing to do with the outcome of today.”
The Reds’ season will conclude with a trip to relegated Southampton next weekend, with Klopp acknowledging that his team has been much too awful for far too long to warrant fourth place.
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