It has been revealed that Liverpool will not be atop the Premier League standings at the moment without the influence of the VAR. It is shown that the Reds have had key decisions and calls by the VAR system impact the results in some of their matches in the PL this term and this has caused the Reds to remain on top of the League table.
According to a report, Liverpool would lose the top spot in the Premier League, if VAR was not in use in the English top-flight division.
Additionally, Arne Slot’s men would have lost the lead as the best team in the land, if VAR was not in existence.
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What position would Liverpool be in the Premier League without VAR?
Arne Slot’s team would currently be on a total of 55 points in the league, one less than they currently are on.
They would also lose their lead at the top to 2nd placed Arsenal, who would have amassed six more points than their current tally of 50 points.
The Gunners have been involved in getting five key decisions altered by VAR, three of which have denied them victories, although all decisions were deemed correct.
The victories denied by the VAR came in matches against Chelsea, Fulham and most recently Aston Villa when Mikel Merino’s shot was adjudged to have come off Kai Havertz’s arm en route to goal and was chalked off.
Mikel Arteta has often voiced his frustrations with the use of the technology, noticeably after Anthony Gordon’s goal stood in Newcastle’s 1-0 home win over Arsenal in the 2023-24 season, which led him to call the VAR system a ‘complete disgrace’.
Comments he was subsequently charged for by the English Football Association.
Newcastle have reportedly been the most-favoured team when it comes to VAR decisions this season, with 10 calls going their way and only 2 not going in their favour.
Liverpool salvaged a point against Manchester United thanks to VAR, as Mohammed Salah scored from the spot after Matthijs de Ligt was found guilty of handling the ball in the box in a 2-2 stalemate last month.
Under no use of the VAR technology, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth would round out the top four, with Forest staying on 47 points, while the Cherries would rise by 5 points to sit on 45 points.
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