Match of the Day pundits Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards gave their verdicts on Fabinho and a VAR call last night in a clash against Sheffield United.
Jürgen Klopp’s team fell back with an early penalty from Sander Berge before goals from Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota led the game to a 2-1 win.
For the second straight week after the controversial Merseyside derby against Everton, VAR was the focus of the proceedings and there was much debate about the game.
A big decision came against Liverpool when Fabinho conceded a foul right on the line of the field – referee Mike Dean finally pointed to the point after the VAR action.
Former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Jenas spoke out on behalf of Liverpool, declaring it wasn’t a foul and asking why VAR hadn’t stepped in to tell Dean to go to the contact line to have the incident on monitors to pursue again.
But Jenas claimed Fabinho made the mistake of even attempting an attack when he should have stayed on his feet.
He stated at the BBC Match of the Day: “First of all, should Fabinho play the ball? No, he should hold back.
“”I don’t think it’s a punishment. I don’t think it’s a foul at all.
“It’s on the line, he’s getting some of the ball, so it shouldn’t be given.
“”It was given by Mike Dean that he could have walked to the monitor but didn’t and VAR didn’t see it as a clear and obvious mistake and didn’t knock it over. “
Fabinho played defensively for Virgil van Dijk, who could miss the rest of the season due to injury.
ONEAnd while Richards admitted the Brazilian will make mistakes, he believes he is able to get the job done.
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He explained: “He has played in this position before, yes, he will make mistakes.
“”He won’t replace Van Dijk, nobody can but I think he will be a good replacement for the team until he comes back. “
Liverpool are back in the Champions League against FC Midtjylland in the middle of the week before West Ham make their way to the Premier League.
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