Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards, has slammed VAR after Pascal Gross avoided a red card against Liverpool.
Liverpool were held by the Seagulls in Super Sunday’s opening fixture, as Mo Salah’s brace was cancelled out by a late Lewis Dunk leveller.
The Reds were awarded a penalty after Pascal Gross brought down Dominic Szoboszlai, as the Hungarian picked the German’s pocket during a defensive mishap.
Many have debated whether the hosts should have been down to ten men, as Gross appeared to stop a ‘clear goal scoring opportunity’.
Referee, Anthony Taylor, did not book the German or go to the pitch side monitor – however Micah Richards believed the Brighton player should have seen red.
Sky Sports confirming that according to the letter of the law, Pascal Gross should have received a red card as there was no attempt to play the ball pic.twitter.com/4QVX9qG12j
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) October 8, 2023
Richards said: “I think by the letter of the law, it’s a clear and obvious opportunity. It should have been a red card. He’s just about to slide it into the net, if he didn’t pull him. A clear and obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
Brighton managed to earn a point after going behind in the first half, frustrating Jurgen Klopp in his post-match interview.
The Liverpool manager said: “I don’t know, I have no idea. I think the foul is in the box and he got a yellow card, but if it was outside? I don’t know. Don’t talk to me about rules, I take what I get.”
This comes following a week of controversy surround the Video Assistant Referee and referring in the Premier League – as Luis Diaz saw his goal he wrongly ruled offside.
Super Sunday’s closing kick-off also included a red card debate, with Mateo Kovacic avoiding his marching orders despite making two books or offences.
The first appears to be in red card territory but Michael Oliver ruled it a yellow card offence. However, the second challenge, according to supporters, pundits and all involved with the game, was fair to be a second booking.
The international break may give a chance for the attention to shift from the officials. Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby after the break and Brighton travel to the Etihad in hopes of handing Manchester City their third consecutive league defeat.
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