The Reds thought they had snatched a late winner against Everton through their skipper, but Sadio Mane was ruled just offside in the build-up
Liverpool were denied a dramatic winner in an action-packed Merseyside derby with Everton as the intervention of VAR saw a stoppage-time effort from Jordan Henderson ruled out.
Jurgen Klopp’s side took the lead on two occasions at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Sadio Mane recorded the Reds’ fastest Premier League goal in a Merseyside derby, only to see that effort cancelled out by Michael Keane. Mohamed Salah’s 100th goal for the club had Liverpool back in front, but the Toffees hit back again through the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The reigning champions thought they had snatched all three points in the closing stages, with club captain Henderson turning a close-range effort past a despairing Jordan Pickford, who got his hands to the effort but could not keep it out.
Ecstasy turned to agony, though, during the standard review process that follows every goal.
According to those making VAR calls at Stockley Park, Sadio Mane had strayed offside by the narrowest of margins.
With a big decision having so much riding on it, technology was once again the subject of much of post-match discussion after the final whistle blew.
Completely unforgivable from VAR, beyond shocking pic.twitter.com/FNyuatjWZy
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) October 17, 2020
How that Herderson goal has been disallowed is disgrace .. the game has gone . I’m an advocate of VAR for clear errors but come on . They need to change the rule to any part of your body needs to be onside and give the attacker the advantage.. simple ! 🤯🤬
— Marc Bircham (@marcbircham) October 17, 2020
Microscopically marginal. Is that really what VAR was brought in for? Is that what we really want?
— Adrian Bevington (@ABevington11) October 17, 2020
Unlucky lads. Played against 12 men today. #VAR pic.twitter.com/GN060w7Bro
— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) October 17, 2020
Again, the problem isn’t VAR. The problem is the offside rule as it stands and the way it works with VAR. https://t.co/IExdUPxtB6
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) October 17, 2020
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The fact that they haven’t recorded a “F*ck VAR” chant for the fake crowd noise yet is wrong.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 17, 2020
Something has to be done about VAR. This can’t continue.
You CANNOT possibly say Mane is offside there. How is that a clear and obvious mistake? pic.twitter.com/4t0GV4G6DJ
— LiverpoolFF (@LiverpoolFF) October 17, 2020
This feels so not like football these decisions made by computer programs! Should be there to restore a mistake or a clear and obvious off side missed by referee but not this. #VAR
— Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) October 17, 2020
Scoring a goal before and after VAR 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/1BYC5A4X73
— Goal (@goal) October 17, 2020
Liverpool will be pleased with the response they offered to the 7-2 defeat suffered at Aston Villa in their last Premier League outing, but can feel aggrieved at having missed out on a morale-boosting success.
Everton, meanwhile, have seen their 100 per cent start to the season ended, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side have shown once again that they can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the business and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2020-21.
