Roy Hodgson has been left ‘bemused’ by VAR’s decision to intervene and award Liverpool a penalty as Watford lost 2-0 at Anfield.
Roy Hodgson said: “It’s the only sad moment for me today. You know, VAR has done a lot of very good things since it’s been instituted in English football, and this year, I think better than last year. But I still find it very hard to accept that when a situation happens, which literally nobody, the referee didn’t see a penalty. Jurgen didn’t see it, he is asking me what’s happening. I’m saying, I don’t know. What is it? Not one Liverpool player complained about having been fouled. For the game to be stopped in the 88th minute and then being given the chance to seal it 2-0, it leaves a rather unpleasant taste in the mouth. The biggest myth in football that I’ve ever come across is that refereeing decisions don’t change games. Everyone I know in football thinks they do.”
Watford may well be able to take spirit from a valiant display that could have easily seen them claim a point had they just been a little more clinical on the day. Sadly though, with only eight games left in the season now, the threat of relegation looms even larger. Even so, Hodgson said the mood in the dressing room was one of ‘bemusement’ as opposed to anger.
Roy Hodgson explained: “They weren’t hopping around: ‘Oh, we were robbed. What a terrible decision’. They weren’t doing that. They were more bemused, like me. What on earth is happening? Why did they give them that penalty? Why do we have to succumb to that?’ It was bemusement more than anything else.”
After the match, the 74-year-old could be seen having a long conversation with Atwell, but he refused to criticise the ref, with his ire seemingly more directed at VAR.
Roy Hodgson said:”I wasn’t criticising his refereeing performance in the game. That I can say. I don’t think he [Attwell] refereed the game badly at all. What I had to say to him was on another matter.”
