Beyond the fact that Luton Town’s opponent had strong plans to stop the Reds, Liverpool’s matchup with them has been among the most challenging for Jürgen Klopp and his team this Premier League season.During the game, Liverpool had to settle for the distribution of points after a one-goal tie, and it was the same Merseyside football players and the VAR who kept the outcome from being totally in their favour.
The 0-0 tie lasted until the very end of the game when Luton’s deadly counterattack between the goal’s nets, guarded by Alisson Becker, ended with a controversial handball that, had the VAR properly reviewed the play, would have changed the outcome of the game. The centre of the field was ineffective at starting plays towards goal, but the offensive elements failed to deliver crucial scoring plays.
While Liverpool demanded a VAR review because of a possible handball inside the area following a corner kick, Luton Twon celebrated their fleeting victory. However, as is typically the case with Merseysiders, this action was not pointed out, and the opposition’s goal was declared legitimate.
This play had the potential to drastically alter the outcome of the match. Had the handball been called, the Reds would have had the chance to score first. There was even talk of Liverpool winning and moving up to third place in the overall standings, one point behind Manchester City. This would have had a significant impact on the team as the draw at one goal does put them behind in the race for the title. This is the second time the VAR has been used in a match. Against a Liverpool team that ought to be up to more points than it is now, he commits a grave error.
Van Dijk suffered yet another injustice at the hands of the referee.
When the Dutchman attempted to make an aerial ball that was headed towards him, Teden Mengi held him with both arms, forcing the defender to keep possession of the ball. The Reds skipper also experienced an injustice in the opposing area. The fall of Virgil by the British from Luton was not even examined by the referee or the VAR.
