10 November 2023 , 05:00
938
0
Liverpool were VAR's latest victims as a last-gasp comeback draw was denied against French outfit Toulouse in the Europa League as the Reds were beaten 3-2.
Jurgen Klopp's men suffered the first defeat of their Europa League campaign but oh so nearly clawed back a point, before VAR intervened and adjudged Alexis Mac Allister to have handled the ball in the build-up to Jarell Quansah's equaliser that never was. In turn, the Ligue 1 side were able to hold on for a memorable victory.
It must be noted that this was far from a full-strength Liverpool side, with no Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Ryan Gravenberch to name but a few. Klopp's focus come full-time was mainly on the decision to chalk off what many, including the Reds boss, viewed as a valid leveller.
With that in mind, here are all the Reds-related headlines on Friday, November 10.
Klopp bemoans VAR
Jurgen Klopp felt Liverpool's last minute goal should have stoodThe Liverpool manager made his feelings on the controversial call crystal clear after the game, but did also admit his side were far from their best against Toulouse.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
"I only saw the video back now and for me it's not a handball, but how can I decide that? The ball goes to the chest and then I don't see a contact with the arm, to be honest," he said.
"Maybe they had a different picture than I had. It was pretty long ago before we scored the goal and I thought, 'Where is the free-kick?' I didn't see it properly but I heard there could have been a penalty for us in another situation, I don't know.
"Actually, I am a bit more concerned about [the fact that] I would have loved us to have played better, to be honest. That's my main issue tonight. In a football way more aggressive."
Find the full story
Firmino lifts lid on Salah vs Mane rivalry
Sadio Mane has previously had bust-ups with Mo Salah (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Roberto Firmino has recalled Sadio Mane's infamous outburst at Mohamed Salah against Burnley in 2019 and admitted tensions had long been brewing before that moment.
The incident unfolded when Salah refused to square the ball to Mane in space before fluffing a shot, before the Senegal international fumed at his team-mate from the substitutes bench .
As Firmino has wrote in his new book, which has been serialised by The Guardian, Mane was already annoyed with Salah for hogging the ball in previous games. He wrote: "It (the row) had been brewing since the previous season, 2018-19. My instinct and my duty was to defuse the situation between them. Pour water on the fire - never petrol."
Firmino did explain that Mane wasn't just annoyed about Salah refusing to the square the ball - he was also frustrated with subbed off by Klopp. He wrote: "Well, my English isn’t wonderful, so I can’t tell you exactly what Mane shouted when he came off. But it wasn’t anything nice!"
Read the full story
Carragher doubles down on VAR
Jamie Carragher was not happy with the decision to disallow Liverpool's equaliser (CBS Sports)Yet again, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called for football to scrape VAR following the dramatic ending against Tolouse.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
Carragher had already urged football chiefs to "get rid of VAR" following a 'disgraceful' decision which went Manchester United's way in the Champions League on Wednesday and was at it again less than 24 hours later.
Carragher reposted another user's tweet which read: "European officiating is actually worse than the Premier League's, never thought I'd see the day."
He did reveal to his followers that a more detailed assessment of his views on football's most divisive topic would be available soon, tweeting: "Column on VAR tomorrow which was done before the LFC game!"