Liverpool drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Saturday, but the decision to rule out Cody Gakpo’s equalizer inside 10 minutes of the second half perplexed the Reds
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton has questioned the decision to rule out Cody Gakpo’s equalizer for Liverpool against Aston Villa.
It’s a rare occasion for the ex-official to oppose one of his former colleagues, as he believes the Dutchman’s goal should have stood as the Reds chased Unai Emery’s side. Shortly before the hour mark, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross was met by Luis Diaz, who was onside, and deflected off Villans defender Ezra Konsa and into the path of Virgil van Dijk, who was initially offside when the incident occurred.
The defender’s cutback caused a scramble, but the former PSV Eindhoven captain was on hand to slam into the back of the net. However, after consulting with officials at Stockley Park about the passage of play, referee John Brooks ruled that the contact from the opposing player was not a ‘deliberate act’ and thus the goal should be ruled out.
The decision baffled both the Liverpool players and Jurgen Klopp, who was watching from the stands. Another decisive decision from technology and Premier League officials that could have a significant impact on what happens in the Reds’ remaining games as they chase Champions League football.
The decision baffled those on the BT Sports Studios panel, including the official who spent nine years officiating in the English Premier League. “No, I think it’s a goal,” Walton replied.
“It comes from behind the defender, there is a player in an offside position, and he does not actually head the ball, so I believe this is a goal.” It’s being checked right now, but we’ll see when those lines appear.”
“Oh well, if Peter thinks it’s a goal, it’s a goal,” joked Chris Sutton, one of the panel’s former players and journalists. “He’s the expert,” Walton added. “Well, it’s because the ball was passed from a defender to an attacker who was in an offside position.
“And that’s the referee’s decision, which is why he’s going over to the monitor to look.” Peter has obviously overlooked something. “From the initial ball from Alexander-Arnold,” he continued, looking for the difference in the play at Anfield. “So he knocks it down, it comes off, I think McGinn, and McGinn does try to clear the ball, but that would be ridiculously harsh if it was called offside.”
“He’s on board,” Robbie Savage argued.
“The referee walks over to the monitor and believes it was a deflection rather than a deliberate play.” That pass would’ve played the Liverpool attacker onside if it had been deliberate play, but the deflection negates it, and he’s in an offside position receiving the ball, so an offence has occurred.
“It’s a law similar to the handball law that was amended to make it easier when a player scores a goal with his hand, whether accidental or deliberate, we know it’s not a goal,” he explained. “I’d like to see something similar in the offside [rule]; if it hits the defender, he’s not playing an attacker onside; if that comes in, it’s quite simple.”
Savage, who has been vocal in his criticism of VAR since its inception, joked with Walton about whether Liverpool would receive an apology from PGMOL chief Howard Webb as a result of the decision.
Webb, another ex-referee, has been in charge of the Professional Game Match Officials Board for six months and has already met with clubs to apologize for incorrect decisions made against them.
“So Peter, just to explain, the ball goes in from Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz is in an onside position so when he heads it back and it hits the defender because Virgil van Dijk was in an offside position from the original pass from Alexander-Arnold it’s then Van Dijk that plays the ball back across it’s given,” the 48-year-old continued.
“That’s right…,” Walton said. “If you’re asking my opinion, if I were the referee, I’d say that was a deliberate play by the Villa defender.” He even flicks his leg up; it has to be a deliberate play, but I’m not the referee, and that’s the referee’s opinion; it’s his point of view.
“So, will Liverpool get an apology from Howard Webb on Monday?” Savage continued.
Klopp’s team did eventually equalize through the departing Roberto Firmino, but his strike came too late in the dying minutes of normal time.
Jules Breach, the presenter, offered her final thoughts, siding with the frustrations of fans across the top flight who have been on the wrong end of VAR decisions. She claimed that the Reds’ pursuit of Manchester United could be jeopardized by the subjective decision.
With their win at Bournemouth, the Red Devils increased their lead over fifth-placed Liverpool to three points. “Peter, just once more, it’s a significant moment in a game,” she said.
“This could potentially cost Liverpool Champions League football next season.”
“Obviously, the rest of the games must still be played, but it’s these big decisions that irritate fans.” You can even see the looks on the Liverpool players’ faces as they looked perplexed by this, and it’s those big decisions that irritate fans.”
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