A Liverpool legend has launched a scathing attack on the standard of officiating and VAR following the club's 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, describing the refereeing as a "joke" and "inept" while claiming Liverpool should have been awarded two penalties.
The former player, writing in his column, said the loss to Arsenal is "a hard one to swallow" and pointed out that Liverpool have now lost to both of the top two teams at Anfield in the space of a few weeks. He acknowledged that Liverpool did not deserve to win against Arsenal, but insisted they did not deserve to lose either.
Officiating 'Has Got Worse' Under Howard Webb
The criticism was directed squarely at the head of refereeing, Howard Webb. The former player said that since Webb took over, "the refereeing and the VAR has got worse instead of better." He argued that in any other industry, such poor performance would lead to demotion or dismissal.
"What's wrong with this industry? They're not answerable," he wrote. He called for accountability at the top, stating that if Webb cannot improve things, "he should resign."
Two Penalty Claims and 'Dark Arts'
The former player was adamant that Liverpool should have been awarded penalties during the match. He referenced an incident involving Alexander Isak and another that he described as a pull, calling both "two fouls in the box" and "two penalties."
He also accused Arsenal of employing "dark arts," comparing their tactics to those seen from Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. He described Arsenal's players going to ground as "embarrassing for the game" and said it makes them "look stupid from a football point of view."
Impact and Calls for Change
The former player expressed frustration that the football he loves "has gone in a way," and he feels Liverpool have been "caught out more than our fair share over the last few years." He acknowledged that in the past, the Kop influenced referees, but argued that with modern replays, wrong decisions are no longer acceptable.
He concluded that the responsibility lies with the top of the officiating structure, repeating his call for Webb to resign if he is not up to the job. He added that the whole world is complaining about the standard of officiating, and that even Arsenal fans know they "got away with one."
