Liverpool came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, but former referee Mike Dean believes a huge error was made by VAR
15:13, 09 Mar 2025Updated 15:14, 09 Mar 2025
(Image: Soccer Saturday)
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean is "convinced" a significant refereeing blunder was made during Liverpool's 3-1 win against Southampton.
Arne Slot's Reds came from behind to triumph over Southampton, taking a substantial 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, before Arsenal's encounter with Manchester United on Sunday.
Will Smallbone's goal right before half-time had given the league's trailing team the lead, prompting a furious Slot to carry out a triple substitution as he observed from the stands under his two-match touchline ban.Liverpool answered forcefully after the changes, turning the match around for a 3-1 victory with goals from Darwin Nunez and two Mohamed Salah penalties, the first won by Nunez himself in a brilliant second half display from the Uruguayan.Dean, however, contends Liverpool should never have been in the position to fight back, arguing Smallbone's effort should've been ruled out for offside by VAR, reports the Mirror.
Smallbone appears to be in front of Fernandes when he touches the ball to him
Southampton's goal against Liverpool may have been offside(Image: Sky Sports)
The goal came about due to confusion between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, leading to Smallbone seizing the ball near the six-yard box, but further inspection indicated Mateus Fernandes had got the better of Alisson to intercept the ball from the Liverpool keeper.Fernandes' forward pass seemed to put Smallbone in an offside position, ahead of both Alisson and all Liverpool defenders. However, VAR Matt Donohue seemingly missed this, leading referee Lewis Smith to award the goal.Dean, speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday at the time of the goal, noticed Smallbone was offside. He said: "I'm just worried about the goal. They've obviously checked it with VAR, but I've looked at it three or four times, I'm convinced it is offside.
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"The Southampton player has gone to challenge the keeper, it's touched his foot and gone forward and Smallbone's left foot seems to be in front of the defender. Unless there was another defender outside that we can't pick up on the TV, but he looks offside in my opinion."The Saints' 3-1 loss leaves them languishing on nine points, a full 14 behind 17th placed Wolves.