Liverpool news: Ex-Premier League referee demands major VAR change after James Milner claim
Keith Hackett has backed Liverpool veteran James Milner’s calls for VAR to use less slow-motion replays when reviewing red card tackles.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted there should not be a blanket ban as slow-motion can clarify where a player’s feet land and if they were off the ground or not.
Milner told the Liverpool FC magazine earlier this month (2 April), via This Is Anfield, that referees should only review challenges at full speed.
The 36-year-old insisted it was “important” that football remains physical because it is what fans love about the sport.
“I think Milner’s got it right,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Generally, you need to see these things in normal speed but there are examples where it does need to be slowed down.
“For example, at the weekend, they had to check whether there was a handball when Newcastle scored against Tottenham. At normal speed, you can’t see anything.
“There are going to be times when slow motion is going to be used but generally I agree with James Milner.
“Red card tackles should be normal speed because slow-motion exaggerates them. What it does highlight though is where the feet are and whether the player is off the ground.
“It gives clarity so I wouldn’t want to see a blanket ban on slow-motion.”
Milner, who made his professional debut for Leeds United back in 2002 has seen the game get gradually less physical.
The former England international has played over 800 club games and is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season.
In other news, Liverpool are close to three new signings after agreements are reached.