Referee BACK on Liverpool match one year after WOAT VAR decision

Liverpool’s game away at Tottenham last season was one of the most controversial of the entire season.

Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside at 0-0 which, due to a grave error communication, led to VAR’s realisation that Diaz was onside for the goal not to be implemented on the day.

Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners that day. With Curtis Jones being sent off before Diaz’s non-goal went in, who knows what the outcome would have been if the VAR call had been correctly implemented.

Darren England’s Return

Now, Darren England – the VAR official on that day – will be involved in a Liverpool game for the first time since then as he steps into the fourth official role for this weekend’s matchup against Wolves.

The match itself will be officiated by Anthony Taylor, who also oversaw Liverpool’s 3-0 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford a few weeks ago. Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will be his assistants on the day. Michael Salisbury and Dan Robathan will be on VAR duties for the game.

Ironically, it will be 364 days since the mistake that led to England being off Premier League duties for six months. In that time the 39-year old has only managed 30 games, with just 12 coming in the Premier League, nine in the Championship and four in Japan’s J1 League.

VAR has had little impact in Liverpool’s games so far this season, thankfully. Wolves sit bottom of the table at current, exactly level with Everton on 1 point and -9 goal difference, with five goals scored and 14 conceded. Their low point will undoubtedly have been a 6-2 hammering by Chelsea on their opening game of the season at Molineux last month.

Liverpool will look to continue their fine form and pick up a 5th win in six games. Last season’s visit to Molinuex finished 3-1 to the Reds, with Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson joining an own goal by Hugo Bueno.