Lesley Ugochukw was lucky to avoid a red card for reckless challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister – with VAR confirming the on-field decision made by Michael Oliver
Liverpool fans have raged at Michael Oliver after Lesley Ugochukw avoided a red card during Burnley’s clash with Liverpool.
Ugochukw recklessly lunged into Alexis Mac Allister during the first half of their Premier League clash – leaving the Argentine writhing in pain. Michael Oliver dished out his yellow card, but VAR stepped in to review if it needed to upgraded.
However, after VAR failed to upgrade it to a red, Liverpool fans were furious – with one even eluding the challenge as a “career ender”. “Am I seeing things bro that’s a stonewall red,” one fan fumed.
While a second said: “That’s two stonewall red cards that VAR has decided not to give against us in the first four games…”
And another added: “Don’t want to see a red card but it’s hilarious how few replays we’re being shown of it. Clearly protecting refs again by not giving the paying customer the opportunity to make their own mind up…”
Liverpool fans were furious at the decision
“Astonishing dangerous from the PGMOL again,” a third said. As a fourth posted: “I mean. Yeah, maybe better these tackles don’t exist actually…”
Leon Osman agreed with the decision, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Lesley Ugochukwu was off his feet, but he did win the ball.
“Straight away Alexis Mac Allister was indicating contact was made and he was eager to let the referee know. It did look like a good old school challenge.”
Liverpool went into the clash without star striker Alexander Isak.
Isak, who the Reds snapped up on Transfer Deadline Day, wasn’t included in the squad by Arne Slot: “We’ve decided it is the best for him to have a proper week of training instead of every time going for five or 10 minutes of playing.
“I can assure the fans that he will be involved on Wednesday [against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League] – but this game came a bit too early.”
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