Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool was allowed to stand as VAR ruled that there was not enough contact on Origi in the build up to the goal.
Rashford opened the scoring in the first half at Old Trafford as he met Daniel James’ cross from close range to finish past the Reds keeper Alisson.
But Liverpool were demanding for the goal to be cancelled as Victor Lindelof clipped Origi inside United’s half before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team started their attack.
Referee Martin Atkinson was close to the incident but did not believe there was a foulon Origi, while a VAR check also did not overturn United’s goal.
The PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) has now confirmed that VAR spotted the contact on Divock Origi but did not consider it enough to warrant a foul being awarded to Klopp’s side.
‘Firstly, the on-field referee didn’t think it was a foul and VAR checked/decided that it wasn’t a clear and obvious error to not award the foul,’ the PGMOL told Sky Sports.
‘Secondly, VAR isn’t re-refereeing matches, there is contact but VAR was comfortable it wasn’t enough to disallow the goal.’
However, Jurgen Klopp was furious that Manchester United’s goal was allowed to stand.
‘They scored a goal which shows all the problems with VAR,’ the Liverpool head coach said after the match.
‘Mr Atkinson let the game run I’m sure because there is VAR. For me it was a clear foul. ‘It’s a general problem. VAR looks and says ‘you decided like this’. But it was a foul.
‘Then we scored a goal that was disallowed. ‘Pretty much everything went against us but we still didn’t lose so that is OK.’
