Four controversies during Spurs v Liverpool after two red cards and VAR failure
It was Tottenham who ultimately cashed in on Manchester City's shock defeat at Wolves on Saturday with a last-gasp win over Liverpool.
For the first time since 2017, the north London side overcame Jurgen Klopp's men, courtesy of a 96th minute own goal from Joel Matip. Son Heung-Min had given Ange Postecoglou's side, seemingly flowing with new-found belief and attacking intent, a first-half lead only for Cody Gakpo to level on the stroke of half time.
But that doesn't even begin to tell the story of a clash that will be talked about by pundits and fans for considerable time yet, and not necessarily for the right reasons. And Jurgen Klopp in particular was left seething after a number of highly controversial moments went against his men.
Jones goes over the ball - and off the pitch
The game initially turned on a flashpoint 26 minutes in when Curtis Jones was penalised for a foul on Yves Bissouma, with his studs appearing to go over the ball and make contact with the Tottenham man's ankle.
Referee Simon Hooper initially did not show red, only to change his mind after VAR intervention. Analysing live on Sky Sports, Gary Neville was less than impressed : "He’s [the VAR] showing him the end motion and that’s not how it actually is - his foot slips over the top of the ball. It’s never a red card and he’s going to get one if it'll ruin the game," he said.
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"I think generally, he’s gone in genuinely but his foot slips on top of the ball. I’m not sure, I never am nowadays, I’m less sure about football than I ever have been but I don’t think he’s gone in with any malice."
Liverpool's Curtis Jones was sent off after a late challenge on Yves Bissouma (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Liverpool have a problem with discipline? Comment below.
Diaz denied by VAR blunder
Despite being down to 10-men, Luis Diaz thought he had given Liverpool the lead after latching onto Mohamed Salah's pass to score.
But the offside flag went up, and a brisk VAR check seemingly confirmed the attacker had just strayed beyond the last defender - or not. A closer inspection appeared to contradict the decision after after the final whistle, the PGMOL made an embarrassing admission.
"PGMOL acknowledges significant human error occurred during the first-half of Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool. The goal by Luis Diaz was disallowed by the on-field team of match officials," a statement read. That was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene. "
Richard Keys provided evidence to show it was the wrong decision (beIN Sports)
Jota's quickfire cautions
Two fouls on Destiny Udogie in quick succession, two yellow cards, and two incidents where it was unclear if actual contact took place.
The first caution saw Udogie go down after apparently being clipped by accident by Diogo Jota as he sought to surge on a supporting run upfield. The second, whilst undoubtedly a rash slide from the Portuguese star, also didn't exactly amount to GBH.
"Once you've already been booked, you cannot do that, you cannot lunge into tackles as you know you're going to cost your team," said Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp, of the second foul. "Whether there's actually a touch or not, it's not the point, don't dive into tackles."
Klopp rages at "crazy" calls
Given the punishment that followed his antics in the last clash between these teams, Klopp would have been well advised to choose his words carefully afterwards.
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He just about managed to stay within disciplinary boundaries, but was hardly complimentary towards the officials either: "The first red card - Curtis steps his foot on the ball and then rolls over the ball and hits the leg. So if you look at that in slow motion you think maybe a red card, but unlucky.
"First yellow for Jota is never a yellow card. That's crazy. The offside goal? On the pitch never, I saw thats not offside. At half time the first thing I hear is they drew the lines wrong. Someone opened a smartphone, Instagram or whatever, it's clear, the ball is between Mo's legs, they drew the lines wrong. "
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