Lewis Dunk has slammed Liverpool for the controversy following Jurgen Klopp’s claim over Brighton’s VAR decisions.
Brighton and Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk has claimed Liverpool are not the only club pushing for a replay after Jurgen Klopp called for VAR.
On Wednesday, the Reds boss admitted that as a “football person” the only conceivable option would be to replay the game with Tottenham Hotspur, adding that it “probably” won’t happen. His recommendation is based on Luis Diaz’s controversial goal against the north London side, which was mistakenly missed in the away win.
VAR officials at Stockley Park reviewed the footage but a miscommunication meant they were unable to make the correct decision – as the Reds striker can be seen in the footage. After 72 hours of passionate PGMOL submissions and pleas from Anfield, the doom sound was made. Following Klopp’s confession, the Seagulls defender claimed Brighton had reason to go into a replay against rivals Crystal Palace last season when Pervis Estupinan’s goal was disallowed – the offside lines were incorrectly drawn.
At the time, PGMOL apologized for the “serious mistake”. But Roberto De Zerbi’s side were later fouled by a refereeing error and received a third apology from the referee, which resulted in Kaoru Mitoma’s penalty not being awarded for a challenge on Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg.
England international Dunk presented a case where the decision’s negative impact on their season hampered their challenge for Champions League qualification – eventually finishing sixth in the Premier League behind Liverpool.
“It’s a difficult situation,” he said. “And it’s hard to answer that, but if you look at our game at Crystal Palace last season, we were offside because they also marked the wrong player.
“So, do we go back to last season and play that game again where we get a few more points and get into the Champions League instead of the Europa League. It’s a tough thing. Do you do it again or not?
– There are many incidents in football that are being talked about now. Referees are human, they make mistakes. We make mistakes on the football field,” Dunk said, the Mirror reported.
“VAR was brought in to help, but it’s still happening, they’re still people sitting in a room, in front of a screen, and missing it.
“I understand what Klopp is saying, but we would say the same about our game. It should be repeated.”
