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On three occasions the match was interrupted in the second half after reviewing the penalty that led to the tie for the Danish champion and a goal disallowed for both sides.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Image: AFP
HERNING, Denmark – Jurgen Klopp said his support for VAR is waning after a series of prolonged delays in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw in the Champions League at Midtjylland on Wednesday.
On three occasions the match was interrupted in the second half after reviewing the penalty that led to the tie for the Danish champion and a goal disallowed for both sides.
Klopp agreed with the three calls from the umpires, but was concerned that the waiting in cold conditions could have led to even more injury problems for his team.
“It just took too long,” Klopp said after eight minutes of injury time was added at the end of the game.
“The decisions were correct but it was very difficult to make, it took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys.
“It’s very difficult and I could hear people say, ‘Oh my God.’ It took a long time and it was very cold, which doesn’t help.
“I used to be one of the people who said VAR is a good idea, I’m really not sure if I would say that again to be honest. But now we have it.”
Liverpool were already guaranteed top spot in Group D, allowing Klopp to make eight changes, but surprisingly opened up Mohamed Salah up front and Fabinho in central defender despite their concerns over a grueling December schedule.
- Wrong beats Gerrard –
The decision to play Salah paid off immediately when the Egyptian took advantage of a backward pass in the first minute and scored his 22nd goal in the Champions League for Liverpool, to surpass Steven Gerrard as the top scorer of all. club times in competition.
“Absolutely exceptional player,” Klopp added. “Since we worked together, obviously a lot of things really fell into place for all of us. He helps the team tremendously and also knows and appreciates the team’s help.”
However, the replacement of Fabinho at half-time to finally give the Brazilian a break deflected the visitors as Midtjylland pounced on the indecision among a Liverpool youth defense.
Klopp debuted 18-year-old Billy Koumetio, who became Liverpool’s youngest player in the Champions League, alongside 19-year-old Rhys Williams in central defense.
Leighton Clarkson also made his debut in midfield, while Caoimhin Kelleher again replaced the injured Alisson in goal.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was captain of his childhood club for the first time at age 22.
“It’s wonderful, wonderful to have your first Champions League game, but a career is about how many you will have or how many games overall you will play,” Klopp said. “So the boys have a lot to learn.”
Midtjylland’s pressure was rewarded with a penalty after the first of a series of extensive reviews.
Anders Dreyer was brought down by Kelleher as he approached the goal, but had originally been called offside.
After reviewing the incident on the pitch monitor, French referee Francois Letexier signaled the spot and Alexander Scholz shot the penalty past Kelleher.
The next VAR review was against the home team when Scholz’s fine shot from a narrow angle was ruled offside.
Kelleher was the hero in last week’s 1-0 win over Ajax that secured qualification and was needed again when he parried Erik Sviatchenko’s header from a corner.
Klopp drew on the experience of Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane after the break to regain some control and Henderson produced one last challenge to prevent Evander from securing a famous win for Midtjylland.
But Liverpool might even have won the game in the end when Takumi Minamino swept home from the takedown of Mane.
Initially, Minamino was given an offside, but on review, the goal was controversially ruled out by a hand from Mane.
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