When Manchester United prepare to host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night, they are just one point away from securing their place in the Champions League for the following season.
After Liverpool were held to a contentious 1-1 draw by Aston Villa last weekend, the Red Devils defeated Bournemouth 1-0 to earn a place in the competition.
Roberto Firmino scored a late equalizer in his final appearance at Anfield for Liverpool, and the Merseyside club have written to the PGMOL to demand an explanation for two decisions made during the match.
Prior to Firmino’s equalizer, there was plenty of controversy and discussion after Jacob Ramsey had given Unai Emery’s team the lead.
Cody Gakpo’s goal off of a pass from Virgil van Dijk appeared to have leveled the score for Liverpool, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
When Luis Diaz attempted to head the ball back across the goal, Villa defender Ezri Konsa intercepted it and diverted it to Van Dijk, who then assisted Gakpo in scoring.
The Liverpool defender was, however, offside when Diaz’s header occurred.
Konsa had to be adjudged to have intentionally blocked the ball in order for Van Dijk to be considered to be onside. The referee overturned the goal after consulting with VAR and viewing the pitchside monitor, concluding that Konsa’s deflection was not an intentional move.
After a high challenge to Gakpo’s chest that left a clear scar, Tyrone Mings also avoided receiving a red card.
After receiving a touchline ban, Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, watched the game from the stands. “I asked the referee why the offside goal was offside because offside situations ought to be obvious, but he explained it to me. He claimed that the choice was arbitrary.
“He thinks the defender didn’t mean to do it, but I believe he did, I said. Also, I believe the VAR wasn’t certain. So perhaps he considered it plausible. In the end, the choice is personal. That cannot be contested. He succeeded, and that is all.”
Mings staying on the field caught Klopp off guard, he admitted.
“I was surprised,” he continued. I don’t know if you saw Cody, but he appears to be a sponsored athlete for a well-known company [Adidas]. three significant [marks]. I missed seeing it return. I’m unable to respond to the question of whether it was a red card in your eyes.
“Probably too far away from that I was. Only after he showed it to me did I see Cody. You can’t do that without committing a legitimate foul.”
Keith Hackett, a former official, thought both rulings were wrong.
In his subsequent tweet, he stated: “In my opinion, the goal should not have been ruled out for offside. This was a red card challenge by Mings. A deliberate play was made by the adversary.”
In light of the outcome, Man United only need one point from their final two games. Considering that they play Chelsea on Thursday and Fulham on Sunday.
More information indicates that the PGMOL will disregard Liverpool’s complaint and support its officials’ call during that game at Anfield.
