Coote comments shine an unwanted spotlight on PGMOL controversies during Liverpool games

England’s top flight has become accustomed to the inconsistency and controversy that follows the PGMOL around the grounds.

While it would be ludicrous to suggest the existence of an agenda against Liverpool Football Club, fans are justifiably aggrieved.

This article will look closely at some of the abhorrent refereeing decisions that have affected Liverpool over the past few seasons.

Madness on Merseyside

In October 2020, Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees sat top of the Premier League table, with the Reds three points adrift of their rivals.

Following Jordan Pickford’s rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk inside the penalty area, no foul was given due to the Dutchman being offside.

It resulted in a season-ending injury and it was the VAR, David Coote, who failed to recommend the on-field referee to take further action.

Jordan Henderson’s stoppage-time winner was also disallowed, as a result of Sadio Mane being in an offside position.

Like many, it was a decision that lacked conviction.

City’s helping hand

As Liverpool pursued an unprecedented quadruple, Man City boasted a three-point lead before they visited Goodison Park in February 2022.

City went into stoppage time hoping that Phil Foden’s goal would be enough to secure the win.

However, under no pressure, Rodri used his outstretched arm to control the ball inside his box, sparking furious appeals from the Everton faithful to Paul Tierney.

Tierney had a clear view of the incident but with the assistance of VAR Chris Kavanaugh, chose not to award the penalty.

City won the league title by just one point and their fortunate encounter with the Toffees will linger in the minds of Liverpool fans for years to come.

PGMOL left red-faced in the capital

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou had taken like a duck to water in the Premier League, enjoying a six-game unbeaten start.

Liverpool were similarly buoyant, as the refreshed squad maintained an undefeated run stretching back to March 2023.

The controversy began with a Curtis Jones yellow card, for a foul against Yves Bissouma.

In an attempt to regain possession, Jones’s boot slipped off the ball and into Bissouma’s ankle.

Referee Simon Hooper was then advised by Darren England (VAR) to check whether the foul should be escalated to a red card offence.

A lengthy monitor check soon saw Jones making his way down the tunnel.

However, against all odds, Luis Diaz put Liverpool ahead in the 35th minute, only for it to be disallowed for offside.

While it was obvious to the naked eye that Cristian Romero was playing Diaz onside on the subsequent replays, in what was a “significant human error”, the VAR “failed to intervene”.

To make matters worse, at 1-1, substitute Diogo Jota received a second yellow card for a lunge on Destiny Udogie and the Reds found themselves down to nine men.

Jota’s first yellow card was unfathomable, given that there was zero contact on Udogie, in what appeared to be a blatant dive.

In a cruel twist, Joel Matip's own goal in stoppage time gifted Spurs the victory.

Nevertheless, it was the PGMOL who found themselves in the hot seat immediately after the full-time whistle due to their transgressions.

Referees’ chief spares Odegaard’s blushes

Though taking place in December 2023, Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal was likely to affect the outcome of the title race in some way.

Mohamed Salah found himself in the box, only for his flick-on to strike the hand of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

Chris Kavanagh did not award a penalty and his decision was supported by David Coote (VAR) and the assistant.

The match ended 1-1 and a few weeks later, referees’ chief Howard Webb admitted that the decision was a mistake and a penalty should have been awarded.

While Liverpool’s title pursuit faltered in the final stages of the season, they were certainly not aided by the top-flight’s officials’ body.