A Step Too VAR...
Liverpool stole a late point at Old Trafford, in a game that was unfortunately overshadowed by the use of VAR. Two contentious first decisions meant that Liverpool went in 1-0 down at the break, and were only saved by a 85th minute goal from forgotten man, substitute Adam Lallana. Liverpool's 17-match winning streak was halted in controversial circumstances, but that does not fully cover up the fact that they were poor for at least the first 70 minutes of this game, and missed a huge chance to stick the fork into a Manchester United side low on morale.
The pre-game talk was filled with how much Liverpool were going to win by, due to United having their worst start to a season since the 1989-90 campaign, which incidentally is the last time Liverpool won the league. Liverpool fans knew however, that their record at Old Trafford leaves a lot to be desired, and despite wanting to extend their winning run and possibly go on to break the Premier League record, they would secretly tell you that they would settle for a point. Forward Mo Salah, did not pass a late fitness test, so Divock Origi started the game up top with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, the good news for Liverpool was that Alisson was back in goal after injury. United decided to deploy three at the back to try to neutralise Liverpool's attacking threat and David De Gea started in goal despite being ruled out earlier in the week by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
From the first whistle; you could tell that Liverpool looked off of their game, and United stepped off them and proceeded to hit them on the counter. United had more possession in the first half than they expected at times, as Liverpool were sloppy with the ball. The opening goal came in the 36th minute, when Victor Lindelof looked to have fouled Origi, but the referee did not blow his whistle. United then broke from their own half and eventually Daniel James' cross was put in from close range by Marcus Rashford. Liverpool were slow to react, and United took full advantage, a foul should have been given, but you do have to play to the whistle. One does wonder why VAR did not prompt Martin Atkinson to look at the decision on the monitor himself. Virgil van Dijk can also be a little disappointed with the attempt that he made to close down James, he seemed to be reliant that the whistle would be blown and the play would be pulled back.
The first half controversy was not over just yet, when just before half time, Mane, controlled a high ball into the box, and calmly slotted past David De Gea. The decision was looked at by VAR, who told Atkinson and once again he did not review things himself, he went with the possible handball call and the goal was disallowed. He had a terrible game, but this is not just a pop at Atkinson, in nine weeks of Premier League football, since VAR was introduced, no referee as gone across to look at the incident on the monitor by the pitch. This is just not right. In the 2018 World Cup for instance, a majority of the incidents were reviewed by the referee and then a decision was made, VAR is at times frightened to overrule the ref, and the ref will not check the monitor to see if they have made an error themselves or if they wish to go against what VAR has alerted to them, and so therefore it is all a bit of farce really. The handball was accidental, but under the new rules, that are saying that if the ball strikes the hand and gives an advantage, then whatever the circumstances, it is handball regardless. Knowing this, Liverpool will not be as annoyed as the United goal being given, it is that mistake more which left them bitter.
Liverpool continued to frustrate their fans, with their usual Old Trafford disappearing act, but as the game clock got later and later, they started to offer a little more going forward. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had come on in the 60th minute for Origi, and in the 71st minute, Lallana was brought on for captain Jordan Henderson. And it was England international Lallana who got the leveller, Andy Robertson finally put a ball in of good quality, United failed to clear and Lallana crept in to clinically pass the ball into the goal pass De Gea. Many had wondered why he was the one brought on before Naby Keita, but he proved his worth, his contract runs out in the summer, but he could grab himself a new deal if he stays fit, as he embodies the Klopp system. Keita, was on the pitch by the time the goal was scored, as he came on for Georginio Wijnaldum in the 81st minute, and he also showed glimpses, that if he can stay clear of injury, he will be a very important player this season.
So overall, Liverpool have to be content with a point, as they were far from their best, but despite United being lauded in some quarters for going to three at the back and not losing, this was surely just as much down to Liverpool's lack of intensity. Once Liverpool cranked it up a notch they could have got all three points at the end, but it was not to be this time around. Their lead at the top has been cut to six points, and they next entertain Spurs. If the incidents involving VAR had been dealt with accordingly, then the final scoreline would have been very different.
@DubulDee
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