Gary Neville insists glaring VAR error in Tottenham’s win over Liverpool ‘isn’t a sackable offence’ and calls on critics to ‘be human’ in their analysis of officials

• VAR incorrectly denied Liverpool a goal against Tottenham on Saturday
• Luis Diaz thought he had opened the scoring before wrongly being denied
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here

Gary Neville labelled VAR’s mistake in Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday as ‘really bad’ but has called on critics to ‘be human’ when directing their feelings at the officials involved.

The PGMOL confirmed on Sunday morning that Darren England and Dan Cook had been removed from upcoming fixtures due to their errors in Saturday’s game covering Spurs and Liverpool.

Luis Diaz looked to have given Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead in the match before his goal in the first-half was controversially ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

It later emerged that the decision was a result of a miscommunication between the on-field officials and those on VAR.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted he wasn’t a fan of the video review system after the game, despite it working in his teams favour, and Neville has now weighed in on the debate.

Gary Neville labelled VAR’s error in Tottenham’s win over Liverpool on Saturday as ‘really bad’

PGMOL have confirmed that VAR official Darren England (left) and VAR assistant Dan Cook (right) will step down from their roles for upcoming fixtures

VAR incorrectly ruled out a Liverpool goal against Tottenham, despite replays clearing showing Luis Diaz was being played onside by Cristian Romero

Posting on his X account – formerly Twitter – the Manchester United legend slammed the decision-making in the match but insisted it ‘isn’t a sackable offence’. 

‘The VAR mistake was a really bad one. However we’ve all been demanding quicker decisions and I think they have tried to enforce speed in decision making. 

‘Speed will cause inaccuracy and it’s now about a rebalance. – the two officials have been taken off their next games. Imagine how they feel this morning and let’s be human. 

‘There should be consequence for such errors but in my opinion a couple of games out is more than enough. 

‘Think of it as a player suspension for a sending off. This isn’t a sackable offence by any stretch so let’s remove that language – Sorry doesn’t mean anything. It does. It’s an important value all our parents have tried to instill in us. 

‘Taking responsibility and owning your mistakes is important and should be valued. – finally enjoy your Sunday and I look forward to the abuse for this tweet,’ he added.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was livid with the officiating in his side’s loss to Spurs

Former players and pundits have so far fumed over the offside decision that denied Liverpool a goal with Richard Keys slamming the PGMOL’s decision to appoint Darren England to the game just days after he was involved at a match in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile former Liverpool star Ryan Babel mocked match referee Simon Hooper in the aftermath of the game.

Red boss, Klopp, was livid with the officiating that also saw Liverpool reduced to nine-men after Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were sent off, stating after the game: ‘Nobody expects 100 per cent right decisions on field. I think we all thought when VAR came in, it might make things easier. 

‘I don’t know why people are acting under that much pressure. Today the decision was made really quickly for the goal. It changed the momentum of the game.’

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