Liverpool could be fined after VAR controversy despite PGMOL apology

Liverpool could face a hefty fine after their controversial defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, despite the PGMOL's public apology to the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp's side, who finished the game with nine men, were dealt a stoppage time sucker-punch when Joel Matip scored an own-goal to gift Spurs a 2-1 victory.

Supporters were left aggrieved after the PGMOL confirmed that Liverpool had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside due to a 'human error'.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has since reached out to the Merseyside club to apologise for the mistake, according to The Liverpool Echo.

And although fans will feel they are owed more than apology, it could be Liverpool who owe a hefty fine after Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota's dismissals.

That is because Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Virgil van Dijk were also all booked, along with assistant manager Peter Krawietz - and the FA punishes clubs who rack up more than five bookings in a game, with the Reds now at risk of being issued with a fine.

A £25,000 fee is the current punishment for any side that accumulates six or more cards in a single match, meaning Liverpool may have to cough up.

However, it is up to the FA whether they choose take action or not. When considering that Liverpool's players were booked as a result of officiating errors, one may expect the usual punishment to be overlooked in the circumstances.

The Anfield side have now seen four players shown a red card this season, although manager Klopp insists that his team are not a 'kicking team' despite their recent ill-discipline.

“It’s important to me that people don’t start thinking we have so many red cards so we are a kicking team,” the 56-year-old told reporters after his side’s defeat to Spurs. “We don’t [go kicking players].

“The first red card for Alexis wasn’t a red card. Second is for a normal foul I would say. Third is for that situation [about Curtis], and the fourth I don’t understand how many games where you see 11 vs 9.

"It doesn’t happen all that often and we were not kicking Tottenham players. We were trying to play football."

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Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Football

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno