Liverpool sent VAR warning by Premier League bosses ahead of new season

Premier League chiefs have warned club managers and executives to moderate their criticism of VAR this season, arguing that it contributes to a negative atmosphere surrounding the system.

Each of the 20 clubs - including Liverpool - has received a visit from the Premier League during pre-season to discuss VAR, with alterations to the system's operation explained to players and managers, along with video examples demonstrating the subjectivity of some calls.

A review of certain decisions revealed players were evenly divided on whether a decision was correct and if it should have been referred, which Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) believes illustrates the complexity of referees' roles at times.

This season, VAR will place renewed emphasis on what is being termed 'referee's call', aiming for the Video Assistant Referee to intervene only when a decision meets a high threshold for review and is deemed 'clear and obvious', according to the Manchester Evening News.

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The technology faced extensive criticism last season, leading Wolves to propose a motion to abandon it, which was defeated by 19 votes to one at the Premier League's AGM. However, officials recognize that some adjustments were needed and changes will be implemented this season.

Fans in the stadium will have increased access to replays, and semi-automated offsides will be introduced at some point during the season. There's also an ambition to test referee announcements at some stage of the campaign.

In a bid to enhance VAR and its perception, managers, including Liverpool's Arne Slot, have been urged to tone down their criticism of the VAR system this season.

While it's understood that managers will always contest the subjectivity of a decision, the Premier League is keen to distance itself from bosses claiming ignorance about how VAR operates or misunderstanding the system. Presentations at training grounds over the summer have offered further insight into the system.

A handful of Premier League managers have voiced their opposition to VAR as a system, but the majority are in favour of it and the message to be less critical has also been passed on to chief executives and owners. The league believes that last season, criticising VAR became - a tactic managers would use for their own advantage, which was detrimental to its perception.