Brighton & Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk has argued that Liverpool aren’t the only club with a case for a replay after Jurgen Klopp’s VAR claim.
On Wednesday, the Reds boss admitted that as a “football person” the only conceivable option would be to replay their game against Tottenham Hotspur, adding it “probably” won’t happen. His suggestion comes in light of Luis Diaz’s controversial goal against the North London club which was wrongly ruled out for offside, in the defeat.
The officials in charge of VAR at Stockley Park reviewed the footage but a miscommunication meant that they failed to come to the correct decision – as pictures showed the Reds attacker onside. After a hectic 72 hours of PGMOL statements and complaints from Anfield, the damning audio was released.
Following Klopp’s admission, the Seagulls defender argued that Brighton had a case for a replay last season against rivals Crystal Palace, when Pervis Estupinan’s goal was ruled out – with the offside lines were incorrectly drawn.
At the time, the PGMOL apologised for the “serious error”. But Roberto De Zerbi’s side would later fall foul to an officiating mistake, receiving a third apology from the refereeing body, as a result, when Kaoru Mitoma was denied a penalty following Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s challenge.
Dunk, an England international, presented a case that the negative impact that the decisions had on their season, hindered their challenge for Champions League qualification – eventually, finishing sixth in the Premier League behind Liverpool.
“It’s a difficult situation,” he said. “And it’s a difficult answer to give but if you look back at our game last season at Crystal Palace away we had an offside given that they marked the wrong player as well.
“So do we go back to last season and replay that game where we could get a few extra points and get in the Champions League instead of Europa League. It’s a difficult thing. Do you replay it or not?
“There’s many incidents through football that are talking points now. Referees are human, they make mistakes. We make mistakes on the football pitch,” said Dunk as reported by the Mirror.
“VAR was brought in to help with that but it still happens, they’re still human, sitting in a room with a screen in front of them and they’ve missed it.
“I understand what Klopp is saying but we would say what about our game as well. That should be replayed.”
