In a fiercely contested Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Liverpool and Everton played to a dramatic 2-2 draw on February 12, 2025.
However, the result has sparked a major controversy, with Liverpool players and fans furious over what they see as blatant officiating errors and a failure of the VAR system.
The flashpoint came deep into stoppage time. With Liverpool leading 2-1, Everton’s James Tarkowski scored a last-gasp equalizer in the 98th minute.
However, in the buildup to the goal, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté appeared to be shoved, preventing him from making a key clearance.
Despite clear evidence of a foul, referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue, and VAR chose not to intervene, letting the goal stand.
The decision has led to accusations of bias and even corruption, with furious Liverpool supporters taking to social media to slam VAR as a “joke” and a tool being used to influence the title race.
One fan wrote, “They waited for the right moment to let Everton equalize—this isn’t football, it’s a robbery!”
This latest controversy has reignited concerns about the reliability of VAR, with critics arguing that instead of eliminating human error, it has only introduced new sources of controversy.
Reports indicate the Premier League has already admitted to 13 VAR mistakes this season, further fueling frustration over the system’s effectiveness.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot did not hold back in his post-match comments, stating, “We didn’t lose to Everton today; we lost to the officials. My players gave everything, and they were robbed. It’s a disgrace.”
This isn’t the first time VAR has been at the center of a Premier League controversy, with past decisions frequently questioned by managers, players, and fans.
The debate over consistency and transparency in officiating remains one of the biggest issues facing English football.
As the fallout from this heated derby continues, pressure is mounting on the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to address growing concerns about refereeing standards.
Calls for greater transparency and accountability in decision-making are growing louder, as fans demand a fairer and more reliable officiating system moving forward.
