Ex-Fifa official: This may be real reason for ‘strange’ Pedro Neto decision as Liverpool controversy analysed
Keith Hackett has claimed the VAR check on Wolves forward Petro Neto’s opening goal at Liverpool was “a strange one.”
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official “suspects” the officials wanted to check the rules on offsides from goal kicks and the nature of Jose Sa’s pass to Raul Jimenez.
As shown on Sky Sports (22 May), Neto gave Wolves the lead at Anfield after Ibrahima Konate misread the flight of Jose Sa’s goal kick.
Jimenez, who capitalised on the mistake and provided the assist, was a few yards behind the Reds backline when the goal kick was taken.
However, the laws stipulates that an attacker cannot be given offside from a goal kick or a throw-in.
A somewhat lengthy VAR check followed the goal but referee Anthony Taylor eventually restarted the game.
When asked by Football Insider as to why VAR looked at the goal, Hackett said: “That is the type of law that can actually catch you out.
“Even if you are a very experienced referee or assistant referee you can have your doubts.
“I think VAR came in just to check. It was probably a case of getting the video up and double checking that he is right in law. You cannot do that on the field of play but VAR can. They can check for you.
“If it is out of the goalkeeper’s hands the attacking player can be offside. If it’s from a goal kick the attacker cannot be offside.
“I suspect the officials had a discussion as to whether it was off the floor or out of the keeper’s hands. It was a strange one because it did take a bit of time.”
In other news, a pundit has called for a radical rule change after Liverpool and Rangers development.