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VAR hub truth in Arsenal vs Liverpool after officials spotted using 'FPL' app

Some fans thought they had spotted a mobile phone in the VAR booth during Sunday's game between Liverpool and Arsenal
-Credit: (Image: Twitter: @TheSportsman)


An image which appeared to show a mobile phone used in the VAR room during Sunday's 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool have been dismissed as wide of the mark.

Michael Salisbury and Darren Cann were the VAR operators for the game at the Emirates Stadium as goals from Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino helped the Gunners to a well-earned point. Mikel Arteta's side were twice in front but were pegged back, with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah scoring for the Reds.

During the first half of the match, an image of the VAR hub at Stockley Park showing a shot of a mobile phone went viral. The screen appeared to show Premier League branding - with some fans speculating that Fantasy Premier League was being used by the officials in the room.

However, it's safe to say that was not the case, with ESPN's Dale Johnson that the device that appeared to resemble a mobile phone was, in fact, the Premier League Match Manager app. He also revealed that no personal devices are allowed inside the VAR booth at Stockley Park.

The image appeared after Ibrahima Konate's challenge on Kai Havertz inside the area. Taylor judged the Frenchman to have made contact with the ball - a decision that was not overturned by Salisbury or Cann in the VAR room.

There were a number of other controversial moments during the clash, not least when Arsenal were furious that they were denied what would have been a Gabriel Jesus late winner.

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The incident occurred in the 90th minute when Jesus tapped the ball home from close-range after Kai Havertz's strike struck the post. However, football.london understands that Taylor had already made the call to stop play, after Jakub Kiwior had been judged to have fouled Dominik Szoboszlai.

Kiwior seemed to jump through the back of Szoboszlai when winning a header before Havertz, who looked to have used his hand to prod the ball towards goal, hit the post - while Jesus struck home the rebound.