Despite Martin Odegaard “not getting the right result” after an opposite-footed handball, David Coote is set to referee the VAR for Liverpool’s huge Premier League clash with Arsenal this weekend.
The sides drew 1-1 at Anfield in December in a game marred by first-half errors. The Arsenal captain, who had his back to the goal, lost his balance and touched the ball into his own penalty area.
At the time, fans called the foul a “lie” on social media, saying “the Reds should have been awarded a penalty”. PGMOL chief executive Howard Webb later admitted the referees failed to make the correct call, saying the incident was not a case of Odegaard “inadvertently falling on the ball”.
“It’s a big factor here. Either instinctively or deliberately, he gains a huge advantage by turning his hand to the ball. And the feedback I got was very clear: in this case, the game is waiting for a penalty kick. Webb told race official Mic’d Up:
“I agree with that, but I don’t think it will lead to a fair result.”At the time of the incident, referee Chris Kavanagh overruled the appeal and VAR officer Coote agreed with the on-field decision and did not order the referee to look at the pitch monitor again.
When news broke that Coote had been selected for Sunday’s game, fans took to social media to express their dismay. “PGMOL is actually pretty fun. “Read the post from the X account, formerly Twitter.
“Howard Webb joined Sky Sports and confirmed that David Coote should have had a VAR handball in Odegaard v Liverpool – so what did they do? They have called David Coote to VAR for Arsenal’s game against Liverpool this weekend.
Anthony Taylor will officiate the match at the Emirates, assisted by Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn and fourth official Craig Pawson. One shocked Reds fan wrote: “David Coote worked the VAR in the second leg and didn’t give a penalty for a handball.
PGMOL chief executive Howard Webb then said he had misapplied the law. But he was appointed for this match by VAR. “David Coote, who acted as VAR for Odegaard’s handball against us at Anfield last month, has been appointed as VAR again for the second leg at the Emirates on Sunday.
“He wrote another article. “We can’t fix it now. They will try. “A third person said: “Guess who will be in charge of VAR this weekend after Howard Webb admitted David Coote made a big mistake with VAR in the home game against Arsenal last month.
This is correct. David Coote. “What’s happening is so amazing that people still can’t see it. “Meanwhile, Cabana will take charge of the VAR at Old Trafford as Manchester United welcome visiting West Ham in the first leg on Sunday.
This match will be preceded by a series of matches this week, culminating in the match between Liverpool and Chelsea on Wednesday. Arsenal will look to continue their improved league form against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
