By and large, tonight's FA Cup 4th round tie between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion could be perceived as the best possible advertisement Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) could ask for.
With Liverpool 2-1 behind, Craig Dawson's consultation with Andre Mariner in the VAR studio correctly ruled out a goal that would have made it 3-1.
Shortly after that, Pawson again consulted VAR and discovered that he had missed a clear and obvious penalty that Liverpool should have been awarded (that Roberto Firmino subsequently missed is irrelevant).
Amid the other incidents that were similarly consulted by the referee, one couldn't but feel that justice had been correctly had in each situation.
Yet, VAR has perhaps taken the roundest hammering one can possibly imagine, for a whole array of reasons both valid and otherwise.
VAR is not for fans it’s for TV and to keep rich clubs happy
Must not upset them must we
Soon there will be nothing to talk about on way home from game every decision right
BORING— Neville Southall MBE (@NevilleSouthall) January 27, 2018
At the moment VAR is moving the game away from the paying fans and that cannot be good. They need to find a way of making sure those inside the stadium know what is going on. Everything seems geared towards the TV supporters at the moment.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) January 27, 2018
Craig Pawson now consulting VAR to find out if it is actually half-time.
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) January 27, 2018
I’m a massive fan of VAR. But use big screens to keep fans in the stadium informed. Don’t expect them to spot Craig “ditherer” Pawson putting a finger to his ear. That was also way too slow. Other refs have used it much better and quicker.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 27, 2018
If VAR is going to work it has to be quick and the fans have to know what’s going on.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) January 27, 2018
I’m an advocate of VAR...as I think correct decisions trump all else. However, got to be quicker...!!!
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) January 27, 2018
VAR used correctly will add to the game. As it stands it’s a farce. That penalty decision completely undermines the referee.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) January 27, 2018
I'm just surprised these VAR breaks aren't sponsored. Won't be long, I'm sure
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) January 27, 2018
If I’m being honest I don’t want to see all this nonsense in the Premier League #VAR
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) January 27, 2018
VAR what is it good for? Absolutely nothing
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) January 27, 2018
Right decisions or not (speaking independently as a football fan) I don’t like VAR. Football’s big moments are goals. The penalty awards. The spontaneity. That’s what it’s about. Not a muffled cheer & a nervous wait.
— Alan Biggs (@AlanBiggs1) January 27, 2018
There were of course those who didn't wish to allow the furore surrounding VAR to take away from the fact that Liverpool, for the second game in succession, looked incredibly poor throughout most of the night.
All the focus on VAR should not hide from the fact Liverpool have been a shambles defensively. Look punch drunk out of possession.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) January 27, 2018
What shouldn't be dismissed amidst the VAR debate is how bad Liverpool have looked there.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) January 27, 2018
While it seems certain that this new technology will require a fair deal of finessing before assuring many of the dissenting voices that it has a purpose, there were many clamouring for it to be given the required time.
Years ago referees would regularly hold back on big decisions until they’d had a chat with the linesman. VAR isn’t much slower but is far more accurate.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) January 27, 2018
If anyone can come up with a better system than a human being getting 98% of calls right or VAR getting 99% right, then let's hear you.
Atmosphere killer my arse.
Atmospheres were killed when "customers" would rather watch the game in a concourse rather than their seat.— Stan Collymore ❤️🖤 (@StanCollymore) January 27, 2018
"Stupid referee! How did you not see that penalty?!?!"
"Ah, what if we gave the ref a technology that can help him with incidents he may have missed?"
"Stupid VAR! Who says we want the referee to make the right decisions!?!"— Zito (@_Zeets) January 27, 2018
“VAR interrupts the flow of the game.” Yeah, so do about half the teams in the Premier League.
— Paul Howard (@AkaPaulHoward) January 27, 2018
For some reason people will complain about VAR when it's correctly overturned two wrong decisions. I think it's brilliant. #LIVWBA
— Jake Heasman (@jakeheasman) January 27, 2018
The big decisions have been correct thanks to #VAR. But the time taken to make decisions, the playing time wasted & not added on, plus the effect on crowd/atmosphere, are currently clear issues.
— Arlo White (@arlowhite) January 27, 2018
I think they can. If they don’t, maybe you ditch VAR. But only way to know (and for them to improve) is by actually doing it.
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) January 27, 2018
Until its eventual emergence within the Premier League itself, just be thankful this arguement only sprouts up on Cup weekends.
