VAR AND REFEREE ERROR : Mark Clattenburg says VAR made a big mistake in Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid

Mark Clattenburg has exclusively told TBR Football that a significant officiating error was made during the UEFA Champions League clash between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

Maurizio Mariani and his team of officials had already made one odd decision midway through the opening 45 minutes when awarding Liverpool a penalty, despite Jeremie Frimpong seeing his cross strike the hip of Clement Lenglet.

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It was then rightly overturned after a brief check of the VAR monitor.

However – speaking exclusively to TBR Football – Mark Clattenburg believes those in the VAR booth made a mistake when allowing Marcos Llorente’s first goal to stand as Atletico Madrid eventually came within minutes of salvaging a point.

Exclusive: Mark Clattenburg says the offside Antoine Griezmann was impacting Alisson

It was a fine finish from Llorente as he poked beyond Alisson in the third minute of first half stoppage time, although the Brazilian glovesman immediately complained as the offside Antoine Griezmann stood in his way.

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Strangely, Mariani was not advised to overturn the goal, and Atletico Madrid eventually came within two minutes of securing a 2-2 draw thanks to another strike from Llorente in the 81st minute, before Virgil van Dijk saved the day in the 92nd minute.

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Clattenburg – who recently suggested a possible PGMOL change – feels Liverpool were hard done by to concede that first half strike to the Spaniard, telling TBR Football: “Atletico Madrid were awarded a goal just before half time and it has a suspicion of offside. Antoine Griezmann is clearly in an offside position close to the goalkeeper. For an offside to be called, Griezmann has to be in the line of the vision of the goalkeeper or affecting his ability to play the ball.

“When Marcos Llorente shoots to the goal, I believe that Ibrahima Konate is blocking the goalkeeper’s initial vision, but I also believe Griezmann to be affecting the goalkeeper’s vision when he is so close to the line of the ball, and also making a gesture to avoid the ball.

“This – in my opinion – affects Alisson’s ability to save the ball and therefore the goal should have been disallowed. My only opinion on why the goal was allowed to stand was that the VAR believes Griezmann does not affect the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball and not in line of his vision. This is still subjective of course, but I believe football would expect this to be offside.”

Clattenburg – who has called for referees to be trained more – officiated 297 Premier League games throughout his career as well as the 2016 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, so his verdict on officiating matters is a valuable one.

It was a real shock to see Llorente’s first goal stand, and it almost cost Liverpool two points in the UEFA Champions League until a thumping header from Van Dijk in the 92nd minute.

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Micah Richards absolutely shocked by how strong ‘outstanding’ Liverpool player is

Liverpool have got off to a perfect start in the Premier League this season.

Indeed, while it hasn’t been pretty at times, the Reds have won each of their first four league games and currently sit top of the Premier League.

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However, that isn’t to say that Liverpool have been at their very best this season.

Indeed, the Reds have relied on late goals in each of their first four games this season, while some of their players have been criticised.

Milos Kerkez has been criticised this season, while Mohamed Salah hasn’t been at his best either.

However, one player who has earned plenty of praise is Hugo Ekitike.

Ekitike has been brilliant so far this season, and speaking on The Rest is Football, Micah Richards has been discussing the French striker.



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Micah Richards shocked by how strong Hugo Ekitike is

Richards spoke about Ekitike after his move to Liverpool.

The pundit says the striker has shocked him in a number of ways this season, claiming that he’s better in the air than he thought, while he’s also stronger than he imagined him being too.

“But what he has is something different. He’s better in the air than I thought he was. Obviously, being that size, you’d think that they should be good in the air, but he throws himself about,” Richards said.

“He’s stronger than I thought. I don’t know if he was quick and what he’s running behind, and he could link up and all that sort of stuff, but he’s more aggressive than I thought. And I think, yeah, he’s been outstanding, to be honest.”

Alan Shearer shares Hugo Ekitike verdict

Richards spoke glowingly about Ekitike on this podcast, but Alan Shearer shared a different verdict.

Indeed, the Newcastle legend pondered how Ekitike’s role in this team will change once Alexander Isak is up to speed and ready to start.

“It’s going to be fascinating to see how they get them all in. And I know they’ve got a lot of games and they’ll play a ridiculous number of amount of games this season because they’ll go for in competitions. But you always have a go-to, don’t you?” Shearer said.

“You have your best and it’ll be really interesting to see how we fit them all in there.”

After starting so well, Ekitike would have every right to feel aggrieved if he lost his starting spot, but, at the same time, you don’t pay £125m for a striker just to stick them on the bench.

As Shearer says, it will be interesting to see how Isak and Ekitike co-exist in the same side.