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The Reds manager may have changed his mind on technology after another controversial night in the Champions League
Jurgen Klopp admits that he may have changed his mind about the need for VAR in football, after another eventful match for his Liverpool side in the Champions League.
The Reds’ 1-1 draw with Danish champion FC Midtjylland on Wednesday saw a series of interventions from the video assistant referee.
First Midtjylland received a penalty for a foul by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher on Anders Dreyer. The assistant referee had initially called the striker offside, but the replays showed, eventually at least, that he had been offside, although there was a long delay when the referee turned to the court side monitor to rule on the next Kelleher’s entrance.
Andreas Scholz converted from the penalty spot to tie for the hosts after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring.
Minutes later, there was more confusion when Scholz thought he had crushed the Danes ahead after Liverpool failed to clear a free kick from the left. This time, after an even longer delay, Sory Kaba was found to have drifted offside when the ball was delivered and the goal was scored.
Liverpool was the next to fall foul. Takumi Minamino’s late attack was initially ruled out for offside, only for replays to show the Japanese star was clearly on fire. However, the VAR ruled that Sadio Mane had handled the ball in preparation, although the evidence seemed far from conclusive even after multiple repetitions.
The game, which had nothing at stake in terms of final group positions, ended 1-1 after more than eight minutes of injury time.
Klopp was then asked about the application of VAR, and he admitted that while he had originally been an advocate of bringing technology to sport, he may now have to rethink his stance after having seen so many controversial incidents, and not just the ones involving to your own team. .
“It just took too long,” he said. “I didn’t see it back, if they were right or if they were difficult [decisions] to do, but it took three or four minutes, and with the cold for the guys, it is very difficult.
“I can already hear people saying, ‘Oh my God, are you talking about that again?’ but it took a long time and it was very cold. That doesn’t help!
“I used to be one of the people who said, ‘yeah, VAR is a good idea,’ but I’m really not sure if I’d say that again, to be honest. Now we have it and now we have to deal with it. “
Liverpool will assess an injury sustained by Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas in the second half of Wednesday’s game.
Tsimikas, in his third start with the Reds, was replaced by Andy Robertson after 61 minutes after it appeared he hit his knee in a harmless challenge with Dreyer.
Liverpool made a professional debut to defender Billy Koumetio, who at 18 years and 25 days became the youngest player to appear for the club in the competition.
Leighton Clarkson, 19, played 90 minutes in midfield, in what was only his third senior appearance.
“We will let them experience this without making this game too big,” Klopp said. “It’s wonderful to have your first Champions League game, but a career is about how many you will have.
“Both guys are very skilled but there is a lot to learn. We will give you time to do it. They helped us a lot tonight because we were able to rest other players, which was very important.
“I’m pretty sure it was a great night for both of us. I am really grateful that they are already as good as they are, that’s why we can use them, but I know there is still much more to come. “
