Hackett: VAR frustrations 'set to continue' after Liverpool vs Leicester flashpoint
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Keith Hackett says “too long” VAR checks on offside calls will continue until a semi-automated offside system is introduced after extended checks cast a cloud over Liverpool’s 3-1 win against Leicester.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider the former PGMOL official and ex-FIFA referee said that the semi-automated system will help to reduce the checks over offside, but wait will continue until then.
Liverpool were made to wait for several minutes to find out if two of their goals would stand in their win over the Foxes on Boxing Day, and such a trend looks set to stay for the time being.
Liverpool made to wait over offside decisions in win over Leicester
After Leicester went ahead early in the match through Jordan Ayew, the hosts levelled on the stroke of half-time thanks to an excellent strike from Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool then completed the turnaround just after half-time when Curtis Jones fired in Alexis Mac Allister’s pull back from close range.
The goal though was only given after a long VAR check to assess whether Mo Salah when he received the ball in the build-up to the goal, with the Egyptian eventually deemed onside by the narrowest of margins.
It was a check that took over two minutes to complete, and Arne Slot’s side would be on the wrong end of a lengthy check by VAR 20 minutes later.
After Gakpo though he had given Liverpool a third after a similar flowing move into the centre of the area, a VAR check of over three minutes denied the Reds that goal.
First Salah and then Nunez were checked for their positioning in the build-up, and while the former was deemed to have remained onside, the latter was not.
With many far from impressed with the length of time it took to come to the decisions over those offside calls, Hackett told Football Insider:
“The offside checks are clearly taking too long. This situation will not be resolved until the semi-automated offside system is introduced.
“Using its own dedicated Cameras, AI and a chip in the ball technology this system operated by UEFA and FIFA will reduced the amount of delay.
“The AI technology will determine accurately the player in an offside position. From that point the AVAR and VAR only have to determine if the player has then committed an offside offence as per Law 11.”
Salah – whose contract situation remains the subject of much speculation – would eventually get on the scoresheet himself to secure a 3-1 win for Liverpool.
With Chelsea dropping points against Fulham earlier in the day, that ensures they have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
In other news, a Liverpool figure is a leading contender to take over a major Championship job.
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