Premier League rule allows for Liverpool v Spurs replay

Liverpool felt aggrieved at the poor decision and VAR process that saw a legitimate Luis Díaz own goal chalked off in the Premier League fixture with Tottenham.

Liverpool could potentially get a replay with Tottenham according to Premier League rules meanwhile the Reds also have an unlikely ally in Jarrod Bowen.

Liverpool is still reeling from the aftermath of the club’s defeat to Tottenham which saw plenty of controversy and Jürgen Klopp’s first defeat in the Premier League this season.

The Reds saw a goal disallowed unjustly with VAR failing to intervene in what has been an unprecedented case and which is still dominating the headlines days after the game. Much of Klopp’s press conference ahead of the club’s game against Union SG on Thursday was also dominated by questions about the aftermath of the game at the weekend and the referee’s decisions.

Klopp made his views on the matter perfectly clear, and suggested a replay would be the appropriate resolution to the matter. It remains to be seen whether the Liverpool boss’ wishes are granted. As Klopp made it clear himself, it is a complicated process and that must be considered extremely unlikely.

Unsurprisingly, the headlines and the latest Liverpool news are still dominated by the Tottenham game and the subject of VAR, which is unlikely to change after Klopp’s press conference. Here are the two Liverpool.com stories from today that you shouldn’t miss.

Liverpool’s hopes of a replay against Tottenham seem unlikely to come to fruition despite Klopp claiming that would be a fair outcome. Even he was not convinced that it would prove to be the case.

In the past, Jarrod Bowen has made headlines when it comes to Liverpool for either scoring brilliant goals against the Reds or for being praised by Klopp. There’s often been speculation about a potential move as well, though that has never materialized.

Now though the West Ham United forward has been speaking out in sympathy regarding the VAR decision on the weekend that went against Liverpool’s way in a statement that will have resonated with the club’s supporters.

The recent controversy surrounding the Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Premier League match has sparked discussions about the possibility of a replay in some quarters, though the Reds have not asked for one. The game took an unexpected turn when Luis Díaz’s goal was ruled out due to an apparent error by the match officials. And the Premier League’s own rules state that such a replay is possible if it is determined that the officials breached the Laws of the Game. Let’s delve into the potential consequences of this VAR controversy.

The Premier League has appointed a commission to investigate the incident and determine whether the match officials made a mistake in ruling out Díaz’s goal. The referees’ body, PGMOL, announced that audio of the incident was to be released to ensure transparency and that took place on Tuesday. However, before Liverpool can assess the communication between the referee, VAR, and assistant referee, it has refrained from making any specific demands.

Legal experts, speaking to the Daily Mirror, have suggested that Liverpool’s carefully worded statement indicates that they have sought legal advice and are considering their options. According to Stephen Taylor Heath, co-head of Sports Law at JMW Solicitors, Rule L18 of the Premier League outlines that the league board can order a match to be replayed if recommended by a commission under Rule W51. This means that if Liverpool decides to lobby for a replay after reviewing the audio evidence, there is a pathway for that to happen, however unlikely that might appear to be.

It would be legally challenging for Liverpool to argue that they lost points as a direct result of the officials’ mistake, though. The impact of the error can only be fully assessed at the end of the season when considering various scenarios that could have unfolded if Díaz’s goal had stood. Taylor Heath explains that, unlike a horse race where an error determines the winner, football matches involve multiple factors that can influence the outcome.

It Is worth noting that the potential consequences of this decision will only become clear at the end of the season. Liverpool can evaluate the impact of the ruling in relation to their final position in the league table. While they may feel aggrieved by the officials’ error, establishing a legal case based on the loss of points would be challenging due to the complex nature of football matches.

The controversy surrounding this match highlights the ongoing debate about VAR and its role in football. VAR was introduced to minimize errors and ensure fair play, but incidents like this raise questions about its effectiveness. The Premier League and other football authorities must continue to review and refine VAR protocols to maintain the integrity of the game.