Gary Neville, the football pundit, has provided insights from the commentary booth, revealing that referee Simon Hooper appeared “sick” when he checked the pitch-side VAR monitor following Luis Diaz’s controversial offside goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham.
During the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Diaz, aged 26, believed he had given Liverpool the lead, but the offside flag was raised.
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Despite a quick review by VAR, the decision was not overturned. However, replays later indicated that Diaz was likely in an onside position when Mohamed Salah played the ball to him.
After the game, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted that the decision was a “clear and obvious factual error” and announced a full review, along with an apology to Liverpool.
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Gary Neville – The Football Pundit comments on the situation
Gary Neville, who provided commentary for Sky Sports during the game, shared some previously unseen footage on social media.
Neville commented on Twitter, saying,
“I’m pretty sure if you look at the ref’s face they were thinking of taking the game back and say it was a goal.
There is a moment where the ref looks sick!
On the gantry (you can’t see this at home) the VAR screen was locked on the offside decision whilst the game went on. They knew pretty much straight away but for some reason didn’t go back or can’t through rules go back!!”
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This controversial decision wasn’t the only one that went against Liverpool during the match.
After a VAR review, Curtis Jones received a straight red card for a tackle on Yves Bissouma, a decision that Neville believed was incorrect, suggesting a yellow card would have sufficed.
Tottenham took the lead in the 36th minute through Son Heung-min, who tapped in a cross from Richarlison.
However, Liverpool swiftly equalized just before half-time when Cody Gakpo swiveled and found the net.
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Liverpool’s task became even more challenging when Diogo Jota received two quick yellow cards, forcing them to play with nine men for the last 20 minutes plus injury time.
Despite their valiant defense, Joel Matip’s own goal in injury time handed Tottenham all three points.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, expressed frustration with the officials after the match, citing the unfair circumstances and what he considered “crazy decisions.”
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Klopp questioned the offside call on Diaz’s disallowed goal, asserting that the officials drew the lines incorrectly and failed to judge the moment when Salah passed the ball.
Nevertheless, he expressed pride in his team’s performance under challenging circumstances.
Liverpool is my Religion and Anfield is my Church. 17th May 1996 the date I had my blood coloured red. The one you love the most you can not live without it and that is football to me.
