Roberto Firmino & Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has called for greater consistency from VAR after Liverpool were on the wrong end of another contentious decision. Klopp, mindful of the controversial calls that had denied them a Goodison derby win last weekend, was unhappy with some of the officiating.
Jurgen Klopp said “No foul,” said the Reds boss of the Sheffield United penalty. “It’s now six games into the season and in three of them we have been on the wrong end of these kind of decisions. It’s not that we want to have any advantage, we just don’t want to have any disadvantage. That’s the situation now. We did very well at the start of the game, but the penalty we conceded gave Sheffield a proper boost. Until then they couldn’t really get at us, to be honest. Then we lost a bit of patience, we didn’t do exactly what we wanted to do. We scored a goal in our best attack when the formation was in its best place. At half-time, we adjusted a few things, started really well in the second half and scored the second goal. We scored another one which was I don’t know any more what is offside or not. Then Mo had an incredible chance after good play from him. He didn’t score, so the game stayed open. They had their moments but we defended well with a big heart, so I liked it. It was a tough week obviously with a lot of minutes and tough opponents, hard-fighting opponents after the Merseyside derby. So I’m really pleased with the win.”
Fabinho was adjudged to have fouled Oliver McBurnie for a penalty from which Sander Berge gave Sheffield United the lead in their Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday night. Referee Mike Dean had originally given a free-kick on the edge of the area and, although replays showed the challenge had happened on the line and therefore was deemed inside the box, the VAR Andre Marriner chose to ignore the fact Fabinho appeared to win the ball before McBurnie tumbled to the ground. Liverpool fought back to win 2-1 with goals from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota to move level on points at the top of the table with neighbours Everton.
