PGMOL admits ’significant human error‘ which cost Liverpool goal in Tottenham defeat
Referees‘ body PGMOL has admitted an offside decision which ruled out a Luis Diaz goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday night was a „a significant human error“.
The Reds had Curtis Jones sent off in the first half with the score at 0-0 before Diaz sprang in on goal and finished. The assistant’s flag went up but replays showed the Colombia international was onside.
The ruling from video assistant referee Darren England came quickly without the customary offside line graphic being shown before on-field official Simon Hooper restarted play.
A statement reads: „PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool.
„The goal by Luiz Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials. This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene.
„PGMOL will conduct a full review into the circumstances which led to the error.“
Tottenham capitalised on the player advantage as Son Heung-min tapped in the opener but Cody Gakpo equalised with a stunning strike just before half-time.
Substitute Diogo Jota was dismissed for two yellow cards in quick succession before Joel Matip’s 96th-minute own goal gave Spurs a first win over Liverpool since 2017.
Regarding the statement, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said: „I don’t think we should talk too much about that because it doesn’t help at all.
„Wolves got a similar statement, or apology. They didn’t get a point out of United and we won’t get a point today so it doesn’t help.
„I am pretty sure no one is making mistakes on purpose but it still happened and at this moment I don’t know why. [We] scored a fantastic goal – would it have changed the game? I don’t know. But probably, because goals help.“