‘Ridiculous’ Jurgen Klopp told to ‘suck it up’ by two pundits after Tottenham vs Liverpool replay request

Jermaine Jenas and Shay Given are in complete agreement over Jurgen Klopp’s calls for a replay over the weekend’s VAR error.

Headlines over the last few days have been dominated by the VAR decision to rule out a Liverpool goal against Tottenham. Luis Diaz was clearly onside for the goal, and VAR’s ‘check complete’ message was misunderstood by referee Darren England and others on the officials crew by meaning the goal was offside.

Liverpool demanded the audio of the officials was released after the game, and PGMOL obliged, releasing the audio on Wednesday.

The audio showed that the initial explanation was correct and that it was indeed a misunderstanding between the officials, and it was quickly realised after play resumed, with swearing bleeped out on the audio as England realised that the incident had been mishandled.

On the back of that, Liverpool boss Klopp has asked for a replay, given his side lost the clash 2-1, saying: “Something like this never happened, so that is why I think a replay is the right thing to do.”

Those comments have been met with plenty of criticism, and TNT Sports pundit Jenas was just as critical, saying: “It’s frustration. It was an absolute shocker from the PGMOL and from VAR in general. He’s not going to get a replay. Where do you draw the line? Then Spurs will ring up and say ‘actually, know the so-called handball in the Champions League final? Shall we replay the Champions League final then?’

“They changed the handball rules the year after. It’s unfortunate and I get his frustration, but asking for a replay is ridiculous.”

Fellow pundit Shay Given agreed, saying: “He’s obviously upset. It was obviously the wrong decision. The officials have tried to apologise and get the audio out there to show them it was human error. A replay? No chance.

“It just opens a can of worms for all sorts of clubs to go back. There’s no chance, and I think it’s maybe tongue in cheek and he knows himself it is not going to happen. I can understand he is upset, but there have been VAR decisions for other clubs that have gone against them, so we all have to suck it up and move on.”