Vertonghen joins calls for Liverpool vs Spurs CL final to be replayed after Klopp’s VAR comments saga

Jan Vertonghen has joined in with calls from Tottenham supporters to replay the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s latest comments on the VAR controversy.

Liverpool manager Klopp has called for their match against Spurs to be replayed due to the glaring VAR error which cost them the opening goal.

The fall-out from the VAR failure in Saturday’s defeat – in which officials wrongly disallowed Luis Diaz’s goal due to a misunderstanding of the on-field decision – is still being felt.

The Premier Game Match Officials Ltd released the audio conversation between officials and the VAR after a request from Liverpool, but Klopp said that had made little difference to their thinking.

“The audio didn’t change it at all. It is an obvious mistake,” he said. “I think there should be solutions for that. I think the outcome should be a replay.

The argument against that would be it opens the gates. It is unprecedented, it has not happened before.

I’m used to wrong and difficult decisions, but something like this never happened and so that is why I think a replay is the right thing to do.”

On whether the club had asked – or would ask – the Premier League for a replay formally, Klopp added:”At this stage we are still going through the information we have.”

Klopp did admit that it would be an unlikely scenario due to the precedent it would set and Tottenham supporters are already attempting to prove that on social media.

Some fans are calling for the 2019 Champions League final to be replayed, which Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool, after Mo Salah scored a controversial spot-kick within the opening two minutes.

A cross from Sadio Mane struck Moussa Sissoko on his chest before the ball ricocheted onto his arm and the VAR on the day awarded a penalty.

One fan wrote on X: “If the Liverpool match gets replayed it’ll set a huge precedent. See you in Madrid, Jurgen!”

To which former Tottenham defender Vertonghen – who was playing in the 2019 Champions League final – replied: “Count me in!”

“What happened at the weekend was very disappointing and frustrating but there’s nothing we can do as players now. The game has gone. We just have to move forward.

“We can’t control VAR as players. It’s the system in place. We have to trust the officials and hope they get the decisions right as often as possible.”

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Postecoglou grinning as Tottenham prepare ‘considerable’ bid for superb Eric Dier replacement

Tottenham are willing to shell out a ‘considerable sum’ to sign one of Ange Postecoglou’s top defensive targets in January, according to reports.  

The manager has made some impressive signings this season and many of them have already made a positive impact on the pitch for Spurs.

Tottenham have won five and drawn two of their seven Premier League matches so far, and sit in second place in the table. The likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario have been key to this success.

Despite this, Postecoglou is still keen on bringing in a new centre-back in January to provide competition for Cristian Romero and Van de Ven.

Eric Dier is also expected to leave the London club this winter. He could follow Davinson Sanchez out the exit door, who signed for Galatasaray on a permanent deal in September. This has only increased the need to bring in a new defender.

Several centre-backs have been linked with Tottenham in recent weeks. Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen is at the top of their shortlist, but he is being chased by Manchester United, too.

It now seems that Spurs have reignited their interest in one of their other summer targets.

According to reports from Spain, as cited by Football Fan Cast, Tottenham are considering making a move for Galatasaray centre-back Victor Nelsson in January.

As mentioned, the 24-year-old was linked with Spurs in the summer but a concrete bid never materialised. Arsenal were keen on him, too.

Now, the report notes that Tottenham are  “willing to shell out a considerable sum of €30m (£26m) to secure his services” in January.

It’s claimed that Postecoglou is “very interested” in signing Nelsson. This comes as a blow to Sevilla, who are also chasing his signature, as per the report.

Nelsson made 35 appearances across all competitions for Galatasaray last season. In the process, he helped his team keep 17 clean sheets and scored two goals.

He has played 12 games so far this term, including a cameo substitute appearance against Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.