Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday could have been decided by Cody Gakpo’s disallowed goal
The Premier League has clarified an unusual VAR procedure that resulted in Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool equalizer being disallowed. The Reds were chasing the game against Aston Villa on Saturday, and while Roberto Firmino leveled the scores late on, Jurgen Klopp could have had all three points if Gakpo’s close-range strike had stood.
High-flying At Anfield, Villa made a dream start, with Jacob Ramsey volleying home at the back post to silence the home crowd. Nothing less than a win would suffice for Klopp and his team as they chase a top-four spot, with Manchester United and Newcastle comfortably ahead.
When Gakpo lashed into the bottom corner, they appeared to be given a lifeline, but after a lengthy VAR consultation, referee John Brooks determined that the goal could not stand. Despite the fact that the former PSV Eindhoven forward remained onside throughout the transfer, supporters were perplexed by the final decision.
Luis Diaz’s header back across goal was deflected by Ezra Konsa before 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.
The fact that Konsa did not intend to play the ball was crucial, according to a Premier League statement. “The VAR recommended a review,” it stated. “And referee John Brooks determined it was an unintentional deflection off Ezri Konsa, not a deliberate play.”
While Firmino scored a late equalizer in his last appearance at Anfield, the result was still a bitter blow for the Reds, who will most likely be forced to compete in Europe’s second-tier club competition next season.
After receiving a touchline ban for his comments about referee Paul Tierney last month, Klopp was forced to watch the game from the stands. Despite the uproar over Villa’s disallowed goal and a possible red card for Tyrone Mings, the German chose to ignore the issues after the final whistle.
Instead, Klopp took aim at Villa, who are also vying for a European spot under Unai Emery, for what he saw as time wasting. “The time wasting was… wow,” Klopp said.
“We saw the ball boys leave the country against Sevilla.” How long was the ball in play between Roma and Leverkusen? Everyone is doing it. We’ve seen it in a number of games this season. Nothing to do with today’s outcome.”
The Reds will finish the season with a trip to relegated Southampton next weekend, with Klopp admitting that his team has been too poor for far too long to merit fourth place.
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