Mark Clattenburg says VAR failed Liverpool on two separate occasions against Manchester United
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Rousing The Kop exclusive.Liverpool were on the receiving end of two poor decisions during Sunday’s defeat against Manchester United, says former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg.The Reds were beaten by a late Kobbie Mainoo goal having hauled themselves back from two down at the break, but according to Clattenburg, they had a right to feel aggrieved.Speaking exclusively to RTK, the 51-year-old said that by the letter of the law, Benjamin Sesko’s handball goal should not have stood, and then confirmed that Bruno Fernandes should also have been sent off for a late challenge on Dominik Szoboszlai. Apparently United are allowed to handle balls into the net now 😤 Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images Bruno Fernandes should have seen red against LiverpoolWhen Sesko’s goal went in on 13 minutes, it looked unlikely to have much of an impact on the final scoreline.
Liverpool were being blown away by United, and it felt inevitable that more goals would come.Ultimately, though, with United winning by just one goal, the Slovenian’s untidy effort has taken on a completely different meaning. Liverpool were robbed.And according to Clattenburg, the Reds should also be upset that Fernandes’ got away with only a booking after flying through on Szoboszlai’s ankle from behind.“It’s a poor tackle by Bruno Fernandes on Dominik Szoboszlai, which resulted in a yellow card being shown by Darren England,” said the former referee.Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings vs Man United as valiant comeback undone by one miserable 3/10 display“I believe this should have resulted in a red card as Fernandes catches his opponent with his studs on the ankle with speed and intensity, which satisfies the criteria of a red card for serious foul play.
“The VAR has failed the referee in not recommending a review to allow the referee to review the incident again and I am sure if offered the luxury of seeing it again, then a red card would follow. “Manchester United have certainly benefited from the VAR on a couple of occasions today.”The decision not to review Fernandes’ tackle – which would have ended his season had it been upgraded to red – was a strange one, and though it may have meant nothing, it could have given Liverpool the lift they needed to go and get an equaliser in the dying minutes.