Liverpool took their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 13 points as they edged out a narrow 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers to round off 2019. Of course, that only tells a very small part of the story, as VAR played yet another huge role in a game of such importance.
Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead in the first half after the ball bounced off of Adam Lallana’s shoulder in the build-up to the goal. The goal was checked by VAR, and while it was given, some felt as if Virgil van Dijk also handled the ball before playing the initial pass. Then, Pedro Neto’s equaliser was ruled out due to a very marginal offside from Jonny Otto.
Tense affair
Liverpool held on to claim all three points, with the pressure now being back on Leicester City and Manchester City to try and make an impact in this race.
Wolves captain Conor Coady didn’t hold back when discussing the effects of VAR.
“We feel massively hard done by. I can’t get my head around it. It is ridiculous.
“For me it is not working. Some people are saying it gets the right decision but we’re the players on the pitch and it doesn’t feel right to me.
“Anthony Taylor is a great fella to speak to but I ask a question and I don’t get an answer. We thought Van Dijk handballed it, but the referee tells me Van Dijk is too far away. He played the pass. VAR is affecting the game, you can hear the fans singing about it. No-one has asked us about it.
The controversy continues
“It is still confusing, I can’t get my head around it, you don’t get answers on the pitch.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was much more diplomatic in his response to the game.
“Wolves are a fantastic side who play good football and you have to give them credit because it was going to be difficult. Today was going to be the same.
“We want to keep continuing what we are doing and we will see where we are at the end of the road where were can be. We feel we can improve but cannot complain about where are. 2019 was promising and hopefully we can keep it going and enjoy the ride.”
Match Report
Liverpool: Alisson (7), Robertson (7), van Dijk (7.5), Gomez (8), Alexander-Arnold (7), Wijnaldum (7), Henderson (7), Mane (7.5), Firmino (6.5), Lallana (7), Salah (6.5), Milner (6), Keita (6.5), Origi (6)
Wolves: Patricio (6.5), Bennett (6.5), Coady (6.5), Kilman (7), Jonny (7), Dendoncker (6.5), Neves (6.5), Moutinho (7), Vinagre (7), Jota (6.5), Neto (6.5), Traore (7), Saiss (6.5), Jimenez (6)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Goals: Mane
Yellow Cards: Lallana
Red Cards: N/A
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