Jürgen Klopp goes against Liverpool stance on vote to remove VAR in Premier League
Jürgen Klopp has revealed he would vote to remove VAR in its current form from the Premier League - despite reports that Liverpool wants to keep the technology.
Wolves this week tabled a proposal to scrap VAR from the start of next season. The issue must now go to a vote at the Premier League's AGM, r equiring at least 14 votes in favour to see the technology removed.
It's claimed Liverpool is not in favour of the proposal and plans to vote to keep VAR, according to The Indepdendent, with the expectation being that enough clubs will not back Wolves' proposal to get it passed. However, outgoing manager Klopp says if he had the choice he would vote in favour of getting rid of VAR as the officials are "not capable of using it properly".
Liverpool stance on scrapping VAR 'revealed' as Premier League clubs prepare to vote
Premier League stance on removing VAR as Liverpool given chance to vote
Speaking at his press conference, Klopp said: "I think they are voting about how VAR gets used because it is definitely not right. These people are not capable of using it properly. VAR is not the problem. I would vote for scrapping VAR the way it is.
The Premier League has already issued a statement confirming it "fully supports" the use of VAR. A Premier League spokesperson said: “The Premier League can confirm it will facilitate a discussion on VAR with our clubs at the annual general meeting next month.
“Clubs are entitled to put forward proposals at shareholders’ meetings and we acknowledge the concerns and issues around the use of VAR.
“However, the league fully supports the use of VAR and remains committed, alongside PGMOL, to make continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and fans.”
Liverpool has had more than its fair share of contentious decisions this season, including Luis Díaz’s wrongly disallowed goal at Tottenham. However, Klopp admitted Wolves - who he faces in his final game at Anfield on Sunday - have even more reason to feel aggrieved than his own team.
Klopp added: "Wolves are the most unlucky team I saw with VAR decisions. We had a few but they are the champions of that."
Liverpool.com says: As he has done so many times, Klopp has sided with the vast majority of match-going fans with his verdict on VAR. He's never been afraid to speak his mind even if the club's hierarchy might not agree, and yet again he's in tune with those in the stands on one of the key issues in the game right now.
It's not surprise he's not confident in the officials to use VAR effectively given some of the incidents which have gone against his Liverpool team this season. Unfortunately, it looks unlikely Klopp will get the result he would have wanted from the AGM vote if he was staying in the Premier League.