Mike Dean shocked by ’embarrassing’ VAR incident in Liverpool win v Southampton
Liverpool secured a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Southampton to extend their gap at the top to 16 points.
Arne Slot’s side came back from behind to stamp their authority over Southampton as the Reds registered their 21st Premier League win of the season.
After conceding in the dying moments of the first-half, Liverpool responded strongly in the second-half. Darwin Nunez equalised in the 51st minute. In the 54th minute, Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead, converting from the spot.
The Egyptian then went onto score his second of the afternoon in the 88th minute, scoring again from the penalty spot. His brace took him to 27 goals in 29 Premier League outings.
VAR drama in Liverpool vs Southampton
Liverpool were leading 2-1 going into the final few minutes of the game. In the 85th minute, on-field referee Lewis Smith was instructed to halt the play and go to the on-field monitor to check over an incident for a possible hand ball.
Yukinari Sugawara attempted to shield the ball from Luis Diaz in Southampton’s goal area and in the process, he pushed knowingly pushed the ball forward with his arm. As a result, the Reds were given their second penalty of the afternoon and Salah did not disappoint.
| Opposition | Home/Away |
| PSG | Home |
| Newcastle United | Neutral (EFL Cup final) |
| Everton | Home |
| Fulham | Away |
| West Ham | Home |
Premier League also released a statement regarding the VAR incident, explaining why a penalty was awarded to the hosts.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean commented on Sugawara’s error.
He told Sky Sports (8 March, 4:48pm): “It will be a penalty. The referee is going over, so he goes over, there’s only one reason, to give a penalty.
“It’s a stonewall penalty. Oh my god, the defender’s run and he just goes like that, like no one’s going to see it. I mean, it is embarrassing.”
Unstoppable Mohamed Salah
Salah has been in immaculate form for the Reds this term. In Premier League alone, the Egyptian has netted 27 goals and provided 17 assists in 29 matches. In the UEFA Champions League, the 32-year-old has seven goal contributions in eight games.
Salah has been a cornerstone of this Liverpool side that are galloping towards the Premier League title. He is the heartbeat of the team and his contributions have been invaluable to the club’s multidimensional pursuit of silverware.
It is shocking that he is in the final few months of his deal at Anfield and has not been tied to a new deal yet. This could be his last season with Liverpool and he is eager to win the league with the Reds one more time.