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'Ruining football': VAR 'madness' overshadows EPL blockbuster

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is a fan of VAR but believes the process is failing referees and therefore the teams involved.

The Reds dropped their first points of the season after two controversial VAR decisions went against them in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Klopp said he was so surprised VAR did not rule out Manchester United’s first half goal from Marcus Rashford for an earlier foul on Divock Origi, that he couldn’t even be angry.

Adam Lallana eventually scored five minutes from time in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford but Klopp was still bemused by the advice given to official Martin Atkinson.

“I calmed everyone down because I knew immediately. They scored the goal and Mr Atkinson immediately signalled VAR,” he said.

“My coaches were already on their toes but I was 100 per cent sure VAR would overrule it but then we have the problem.

“The ref let the game run because he has VAR but then VAR says it was not clear, so he could say it was not a foul so don’t overrule it.

Jurgen Klopp insists Rashford's goal for United should not have stood.
Liverpool's manager was adamant that Rashford's goal should not have stood. Pic: AAP

“This does not make sense. It is a clear VAR issue with how we deal with it in the moment.

“I was so surprised afterwards, I couldn’t be angry.”

Klopp's annoyance was echoed by many fans, however, others argued that it wasn't a clear foul and hence, the goal couldn't legitimately be overturned by VAR.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played down the VAR debate surrounding his side’s goal, praising the referee for his performance at Old Trafford.

Man United manager backs officials

Liverpool's fury over the alleged foul was compounded when Sadio Mane had a goal disallowed via VAR minutes later for handball, though the Reds did level late on through Adam Lallana to earn a point.

Solskjaer backed the officials’ decisions after the game and felt referee Martin Atkinson deserves credit for allowing the fiercely contested game to flow.

“I thought the referee needs praising,” Solskjaer told BBC Sport.

"It's not often we do that. He let it be a derby game, it wasn't like you couldn't touch anyone."

On the controversy surrounding the opening goal, Solskjaer added: "It's never a foul. I don't think Keano (Roy Keane) would say that's a foul.”

Rashford’s strike looked to be good enough to earn the Red Devils all three points only for Lallana to snatch their great rivals a point with an equaliser five minutes from time.

Solskjaer was left frustrated at the manner of that goal, though he also praised his side for a performance that was a marked improvement from their timid display at Newcastle before the international break.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased with his side's display against Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are the first to take points off Liverpool this season. Pic: AAP

"It was an easy goal to concede,” the United boss told Sky Sports . “To concede a cross on the six-yard line is disappointing. I thought we had just started creating the counterattacks so it's disappointing.

"We have pace. Dan James and Marcus Rashford are exceptionally quick and they will cause problems for anyone. Those two and Andreas Pereira were very good and I'm pleased with how they performed their task.

"Marcus's movement all game was good - that was maybe one of his best games for us. He was strong and they are the kind of goals we want from him. We had a little video session yesterday and exactly that happened.

"It was a great response from the boys. We have a team that works for each other and maybe this will turn their season. They are disappointed because they feel we should have won. Our fans showed they can see what's happening and we will get there."

With agencies