Frustrated by two major VAR calls going against them in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, Liverpool have asked PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) for an explanation. The Reds saw their hopes of finishing in the top four all but vanish after the two points dropped at Anfield on Saturday. The first call was a bizarre offside call that denied Cody Gakpo a goal, while Tyrone Mings avoided a red card for a high boot on the Dutchman. There was also an oversight from referee John Brooks and his VAR, as Jordan Henderson was fouled in the box in the first half. Liverpool have now contacted PGMOL for an explanation, which is now led by former Premier League referee Howard Webb. Webb has worked to show more transparency in decisions, including accepting fault when necessary. The official explanation for Gakpo’s disallowed goal was that Ezri Konsa did not deliberately intervene, even though footage of the incident shows this was clearly not the case. Mings only received a yellow card for a studs-up challenge that left Gakpo with visible wounds on his chest, even after a lengthy VAR review. Lead VAR on Saturday was Tony Harrington, while Brooks was refereeing a Liverpool game for only the second time. It is notable, however, that Brooks was the fourth official admonished by Klopp after Diogo Jota’s late winner in the 4-3 victory over Tottenham last month. PGMOL are yet to respond to Liverpool’s request, though Webb has afforded public statements on similar incidents already this season.
