Ex-Liverpool man pitches VAR solution that might just work after Arsenal controversy

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

VAR took center stage as Arsenal beat West Ham in the Premier League over the weekend, with the former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock suggesting a possible solutionReferee Chris Kavanagh looks at the VAR monitor during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Crystal Palace(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has called for VAR to be scrapped if the only alternative is to continue in its current form — though he has pitched a solution.This weekend, perhaps the most important VAR overturn of all time was enforced by the referee, Chris Cavanagh, during the game between Arsenal and West Ham. One change that has been suggested is that both teams should have two opportunities to challenge a decision every game."If the challenge is successful and the decision is overturned, the team should keep that challenge rather than lose it.

It would mean the game isn’t stopped as much; every single incident is checked by VAR at the moment.Arsenal eventually got its wish as VAR disallowed West Ham's late goal(Image: Getty Images)"If nothing changes, VAR should be scrapped. However, it won’t be scrapped because there’s been too much money invested into the technology, but it is absolutely killing the game."From this summer onwards, leagues will have the opportunity to increase the powers that VAR has.

It would be possible to introduce it to check the awarding of corner kicks, for instance.However, The Guardian has reported that it won't be arriving in the Premier League because PGMOL is concerned that it will increase delays in matches even further.It will be in place at the World Cup, though with the temperatures meaning that a drinks break will come in for every half of soccer that is played at that tournament, disrupting the flow of the game is less of a concern.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. At the moment, that system is only used for straight reds, but it has been decided to change it.IFAB, the body that governs soccer's rule changes, is expected to discuss the problem of grappling at corners, which has been particularly prevalent in the Premier League this season, during the summer.There are no proposals on how to tackle the problem at this stage, though the former Premier League assistant Darren Cann suggested this week that players could be kept out of the six-yard box when a corner kick is taken.Liverpool.com says: A challenge system would still have controversies, but perhaps could mean the flow of matches is disrupted a little bit less.