Pep Guardiola has responded firmly to Jurgen Klopp’s request for a replay of Liverpool’s match against Tottenham, which was marred by a VAR error.
Liverpool found themselves embroiled in a continuous VAR controversy as the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) confirmed that Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside. A damning audio recording of VAR’s communication breakdown with referee Simon Hooper has also come to light.
Furthermore, the Premier League’s Independent Panel subsequently affirmed that Diogo Jota should not have received a second yellow card during the match.
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During a press conference on Wednesday, Klopp suggested that a replay was the only equitable solution, an idea that has been met with skepticism by figures like Gary Neville.
Manchester City manager Guardiola has now shared his perspective on the matter, asserting that Liverpool must “accept it.” He expressed his views to reporters, saying, “I mentioned before the Champions League game, so it’s settled. It was an error; accept it.”
Guardiola went on to emphasize the importance of technology like VAR in minimizing human errors. He stated, “It’s always challenging; humans can make mistakes, but the machines are there to prevent that (mistake). All humans make mistakes, we do. In the end, machines were introduced for humans, so it’s an error. Hopefully, it’s concluded here, and we can improve on that.”
He also expressed optimism that VAR and those involved in it would work toward making the game fairer, saying, “VAR was introduced to make our game more just. Hopefully, it will be better in the future.”
In response to the VAR shortcomings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, both officials, Darren England and Dan Cook, have been suspended for their next two Premier League assignments. There have also been reports suggesting that England will not be officiating Liverpool matches for the remainder of the season.