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In The Summer Mo Salah Said He Prefered Football With Referee Mistakes

In The Summer Mo Salah Said He Prefered Football With Referee Mistakes

The Liverpool forward was against VAR because he likes referee and player mistakes, believing it makes football more exciting.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Anyone connected to Liverpool FC might have been bemoaning the referee and VAR for Manchester United's opener in the two side's draw but Mo Salah would have been okay with the decision.

Martin Atkinson and VAR came under a lot of scrutiny after Marcus Rashford's goal stood despite Divock Origi being fouled by Victor Lindelof in the build up.

The offending trip by Lindelof. Image: Sky Sports
The offending trip by Lindelof. Image: Sky Sports

Despite the controversy Salah might not have been too disappointed. Back in the summer the Egyptian revealed he didn't like VAR because he liked mistakes from referees, and players.

Speaking to CNN in August the forward explained why he doesn't like VAR, saying, "I love the football how it is. It's okay to sometimes protect the players from dangerous play, but for me, I accept the football with the mistakes of the referee, mistakes of the player.

"That's how the football get more excited. That's how the people get more passionate about it.

"But the VAR is too fair. Last year, I had a penalty in the final [of the] Champions League and it helped me a lot. It's too fair. We like it with the mistakes."

Asked if he liked football with an edge he added, "Of course. That's how everyone likes football."

United's goal wasn't the only moment of controversy with VAR, as Liverpool had what would have been an earlier equaliser than the one Adam Lallana scored in the 85th minute ruled out.

Sadio Mane looked to have equalised just before half-time but, despite the goal initially being given, it was ruled out after the ball hit his hand in the build up.

It wasn't a deliberate handball but with the new rules it was correctly disallowed, similarly to Gabriel Jesus' 'winner' for Manchester City against Spurs earlier this season.

The ball brashes past Aymeric Laporte's arm, far right, on the way through to Jesus. Image: PA Images
The ball brashes past Aymeric Laporte's arm, far right, on the way through to Jesus. Image: PA Images

Salah was missing for Liverpool on Sunday and the 27-year-old's absence was definitely felt as United managed to keep Jurgen Klopp's side at bay for most of the match.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played a 3-5-2 system to stop the full backs getting forward as often and Origi failed to have the impact that Salah's direct running would likely have posed to United's defence.

But he wouldn't have been too displeased with Atkinson's decision at least, because he doesn't mind mistakes, right?

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Liverpool, Victor Lindelof, Football News, Manchester United, Divock Origi, Marcus Rashford, Jurgen Klopp, Sadio Mane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Mohamed Salah, Mo Salah, VAR