Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been left perplexed by the reaction of Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to the VAR controversy in England over the last week.
Luis Diaz was denied a goal against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, with it subsequently transpiring that the VAR offside check was not conducted in the correct manner – his effort should have stood.
Understandably there has been an outcry about the situation but Sutton reckons the Reds and Klopp are taking it too far by suggesting the match should be replayed.
He’s cited a shocker of a decision in a Celtic vs Rangers match he played in to basically tell Klopp that he should pull himself together and get on with it.
The Bhoys legend said [Scottish Daily Mail, 05/10 print edition, page 69]: “It is football. Errors happen. Sometimes they are embarrassingly bad. But it is nonsensical to think that Liverpool deserve a replay because of Luiz Diaz’s disallowed goal at Tottenham, and I find it remarkable that Jurgen Klopp is calling for one. He spoke so sensibly after the game on Saturday. And now he has come out with this tripe.
“Before VAR was brought in, we saw plenty of offsides which were incorrect. I’ve been on the wrong end of them myself. I played in the 2003 Scottish League Cup final when John Hartson scored an equaliser for Celtic against Rangers, only to be flagged off. He was on by two yards and we went on to lose 2-1. I would be embarrassed if my manager called for a replay.
“I feel for VAR Darren England amid the anger shown towards him. He made a mistake and you better believe that he knows it now after all this. If Liverpool are granted a replay, it would set a dangerous precedent.”
Celtic fans remember that infamous refereeing call well and know the emotions around it, so for Sutton to say that even that wouldn’t be enough for him to want a game replayed demonstrates the strength of his feelings on this issue.
I have to say, I think I agree with him. There’s no doubting that the decision in the Liverpool game was a poor one. But we’ve seen countless against Celtic over the years and I don’t think anyone from the club has demanded replays or any action beyond review and improvement.
We don’t want to enter a new era in football of matches having to be done over, as Sutton suggests, it would open a can of worms.
In other news, Alistair Johnston knows what Celtic must do to succeed in Europe; honest Atletico admission.
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