Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski understands Liverpool anger over controversial VAR decision
Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski says he understands Liverpool’s anger over the controversial VAR decision to disallow Luis Diaz’s goal against Spurs in their clash in North London earlier this season.
Diaz had a first-half strike incorrectly ruled out for offside after a communication breakdown between the referee and VAR. The error proved pivotal as Tottenham won 2-1, leading Jurgen Klopp to suggest the game should be replayed.
But speaking to Fotbollskanalen(h/t Liverpool Echo), Kulusevski admitted he does not expect that to happen, despite empathy for Liverpool’s frustrations.
‘I don’t think anything will happen. Mistakes happen in every game, it was just a mistake, and they were very angry that they got zero points even though they played a good game, and I understand them.
[A replay] has probably never happened and I don’t think it will happen. There are so many mistakes every match, it’s absolutely insane.’
Kulusevski noted that while it was a big error, Liverpool’s anger was expected given how it impacted the outcome. However, the Spurs star does not anticipate the unprecedented step of a replay coming to fruition.
The 23-year-old feels errors are part of football and teams simply have to move on from them, regardless of the stakes. Kulusevski pointed out that the game also saw two Liverpool red cards that benefited Tottenham’s cause.
‘We were really good. We played really well when it was 11 against 11. Then they got a lot better when they got a man sent off and we got a little worse.
It was incredibly heavy for Liverpool and really important for us.’
While stating both dismissals were justified, the midfielder admitted Spurs were fortunate to cling on for a massive victory. His empathy sums up the conflicted feelings after such a chaotic game filled with pivotal refereeing decisions.
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Following the match the PGMOL under Howard Webb, issued an apology to the Reds. According to the Independent, Webb went to speak to Anfield, issuing a public apology after Jurgen Klopp’s unbeaten start to the season came to a controversial end.
While mistakes are a part of everyday life, they shouldn’t be on a scale where they interfere with the smooth operation of a high-stakes football match.
