Official: Liverpool submit request for audio of controversial VAR

Liverpool have reportedly requested audio of match officials’ conversations following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham after failing to reverse an inaccurate decision to deny a Luis Diaz goal.

The incident occurred in the 34th minute of a Premier League match in London.

Colombian forward Diaz scored but was incorrectly tagged for offside. However, the video assistant referee (VAR) was unable to overturn the verdict.

Liverpool went on to lose for the first time this season. The governing organization for referees, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), published a statement on Saturday conceding a “significant error” had been committed.

The following day, Liverpool issued their own statement, claiming that “sporting integrity has been undermined.”

The club stated that they would “explore the range of available options given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”

They are now believed to have formally demanded the audio of the conversation between the PGMOL executives.

Following the blunder, video assistant referee Darren England and his assistant VAR at Tottenham, Dan Cook, were suspended for the rest of the weekend.

England and Cook were part of a team of officials who oversaw a match between Sharjah and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday before returning to the United Kingdom on Friday morning.

Requests for English officials to take charge of domestic matches in foreign countries are made to the Football Association, with permission to travel granted jointly by the FA and PGMOL.

Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, stated on Monday that he still has complete “trust” in referees.

“They are very professional, so they will give their best, and I trust them,” he said during a press conference.

“Of course, the standard has to be high and it’s a part of the game.”