Why Curtis Jones' goal was given even though he was 'clearly offside'

None of us really want to admit it when we get angry at a decision we're sure on, but it seems that VAR got it right and Curtis Jones was onside.

Monday Night Football kicked off with a conversation between an under-dressed Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Howard Webb about the controversial VAR system.

For the first time ever fans got to hear the conversations that go on between officials when they're making decisions, although the biggest takeaway was the nicknames refs give each other.

Whilst it made for interesting listening it definitely felt like there was a distinct lack of controversial decisions the trio went through. However football has a happy knack of providing those examples quickly enough.

After their discussion Liverpool took on Leicester City. It was a huge game for both sides with Liverpool attempting to get into the top four and Leicester needing points to avoid relegation.

The Foxes started pretty well but things quickly fell apart for them just past the half hour mark, with Reds' midfielder Jones grabbing a brace.

He scored first in the 33rd minute with a lovely finish at the back post and just three minutes later the 22-year-old was at it again.

This time fans were certain that he was offside when Mohamed Salah played the ball into him but there were no issues according to VAR.

But ESPN editor Dale Johnson, who is a bit of an expert on the murky world of Stockley Park has explained why the goal was allowed.

"The VAR drew the offside lines on the wrong pass at first," Johnson said on Twitter.

"Here, the ball was passed to Mo Salah.

"The attacking phase is always played out, though, so Chris Kavanagh (VAR) realised straight away...Curtis Jones then onside from Salah's pass."

The VAR drew the offside lines on the wrong pass at first.

Here, the ball was passed to Mo Salah.

The attacking phase is always played out, though, so Chris Kavanagh (VAR) realised straight away...

Curtis Jones then onside from Salah's pass. https://t.co/ayawJI3S1Q

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) May 15, 2023

Once the second goal was scored there never looked any way back for Leicester, whose relegation is seeming more and more likely.

Though Dean Smith's side did manage to hold it together for much of the rest of the game, Trent Alexander-Arnold added the finishing touch with a brilliant goal in the 71st minute.

Jurgen Klopp's side are now just a point behind both Newcastle United and Manchester United for the Champions League places and will hope the pressure they're exerting will force one of them to drop points.