VAR is the culprit behind Arsenal’s opening goal for Liverpool not being checked.

In a fixture where a victory was crucial, Liverpool succumbed to a 3-2 loss to Arsenal which has bridged the gap between the two sides to fourteen points in the league. Liverpool had the worst start possible to the game and conceded a goal mere 58 seconds into the game with Gabriel Martinelli the scorer for the hosts.

Now questions are being raised in regards to Bukayo Saka being offside for the goal when he received a pass on the halfway line. Many were of the view that it would be an offside call once the goal was scored with Saka clearly looking offside at first glance.

However, on sound deliberation by the referee in assistance with the VAR officials, Saka was deemed onside and the goal was given in favour of Arsenal.

However, according to Daily Mail, there is agony for Liverpool as the goal was not checked thoroughly for offside due to a VAR error.

It is claimed that when Saka received the pass from Ben White, he was out of shot in five cameras which meant the offside lines could not have been used to determine whether the winger was offside or not.

VAR has been disruptive

Adding to this, the official could not use the tactical camera near the halfway line, as a rule, stipulates the camera to not be used in situations which require determining an offside. VAR has been in controversy since its commencement and has had its fair share of criticism for being a disruption to the beautiful game.

The stringent handball rules and the factors that the offside rule caters to for its determination are all theories which cannot be comprehended by a lawman.

Somehow, VAR has made a very easy game of football filled with technicalities. While it has arguably reduced instances of offsides not being given and players diving in games, the grey area that exists in matters such as penalty kicks, red card tackles, which incidents are to be reviewed, and handballs makes it too complicated at times.

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There need to be massive changes to the current system if the governing bodies want to promote transparency in a game loved all over the world. If such steps are not taken, situations like the above where the game could have been completely different had we conceded in the first minute, would continue to arise.