VAR Blunders: A Look at All Apologies After Tottenham vs Liverpool Controversy

• The Video Assistant Referee was on the spot for the umpteenth time as Liverpool took on Tottenham
• A Luis Diaz goal was disallowed after a miscommunication between the on-field referee and the VAR
• We take a look at all the times the referee's body has owned up to its mistakes in the Premier League

When the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was introduced to the English Premier League in 2019, many thought that the era of players getting away with wrong decisions or referees making incorrect decisions was behind us.

After all, the video replays were readily available for the officials to make the correct decisions, so what could go wrong?

However, seasons later, the complaints have been loud with the referee's body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) being forced to issue apologies to teams.

This calendar year alone has seen the body own up seven times to mistakes - a grim statistic given the technology was working optimally but let down by those in charge of interpretation.

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The last one came over the weekend when a Luis Diaz goal against Tottenham Hotspur was chalked off wrongfully for offside. Liverpool fired back with a hard-hitting statement, promising to 'explore the range of options available.'

All VAR apologies since start of last season

Sports Brief takes a look at all the other times PGMOL has offered an apology after a glaring mistake in the use of the VAR.

Adding to the controversy at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, there have been 12 other admissions by the PGMOL in the last two seasons, as reported by Sky Sports.

1. Crystal Palace 3 Aston Villa 1 - August 20, 2022

Crystal Palace were denied a penalty that was originally given by referee, Andy Madley. Lucas Digne had handled the ball in the area but after a VAR review, Madley changed his decision.

2. Chelsea 2 West Ham 1 - September 3, 2022

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West Ham were denied an equaliser after Jarrod Bowen was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy before Maxwell Cornet scored.

3. Newcastle United 0 Crystal Palace 0 - September 3, 2022

Newcastle were denied a potential winner after Tyrick Mitchell put the ball into his own net. Joe Willock was said to have impeded goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita.

4. Manchester United 3 Arsenal 1 - September 4, 2022

This was Mikel Arteta's first loss of the 2022/2023 season, but perhaps it could have ended differently. A Gabriel Martinelli goal was disallowed after Martin Odegaard was said to have fouled Christian Eriksen.

5. Fulham 3 Aston Villa 0 - October 20, 2022

Douglas Luiz was wrongly sent off for a clash with Aleksandr Mitrovic. The red card was later overturned but it cost Steven Gerrard his job, with Unai Emery taking over.

6. Nottingham Forest 2 Brentford 2 - November 5, 2022

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Dean Henderson was adjudged to have brought down Yoane Wissa, but replays showed the goalkeeper had minimal contact with the Bees striker.

7. Aston Villa 3 Man United 1 - November 6, 2022

Emery's first bow in the Premier League as Villa's boss saw him chalk an impressive win over Manchester United. Lucas Digne scored an impressive free kick, but replays showed United's wall wasn't set up in the right place.

8. Brighton 2 Liverpool 1 - January 29, 2023

Fabinho thanked his lucky stars after escaping a red card for a studs-up challenge on Evan Ferguson.

9. Crystal Palace 1 Brighton 1 - February 11, 2023

The Seagulls were on the receiving end again when VAR official, John Brooks drew the offside lines in the wrong place, thus disallowing Pervis Estupinan a valid goal.

10. Arsenal 1 Brentford 1 - February 11, 2023

Ivan Toney's equaliser was controversially allowed to stand despite Christain Norgaard influencing play from an offside position.

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11. Everton 0 Manchester City 1 - February 26, 2023

The officials didn't spot Rodri's handball inside the area and thus, the Toffees missed out on an opportunity for a potential goal.

12. Tottenham 2 Brighton 1 - April 8, 2023

Pierre-Emile Hojberg fouled Kaoru Mitoma but referee, Stuart Atwell didn't award a penalty with the VAR rubberstamping the decision.

13. Manchester United 1 Wolves 0 - August 14, 2023

VAR's misdoings this season started in game week one after Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic in the dying stages of the game. No penalty was awarded even after a VAR check with the officials in charge getting a one-week suspension.

The rampant cases of VAR's use continue to be an eyesore. Owning up to mistakes after the game is only a drop in the ocean for the affected teams because, as Jurgen Klopp put it, 'what does it help?'

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Klopp's response to PGMOL

Klopp was furious with the call, as reported by Sports Brief, stating that when VAR came along, it was expected to make things easier.

"We had that situation in the Man United game. Did Wolves get a point for it? We won’t get points for it," he stated.