Why VAR line for Everton’s goal against Liverpool was ‘wonky’ and goal may not have stood next season
EVERTON’S opening goal against Liverpool last night may have been disallowed under new rules coming in next season.
Jarrad Branthwaite netted the Toffees opener after 27 minutes to send them on their way to a first win over Liverpool at Goodison Park in 14 years.
Jarrad Branthwaite has set Goodison Park on fire!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2024pic.twitter.com/d7KvmOcbgr
The win and three vital points saw Sean Dyche‘s side all-but confirm their Premier League safety and severely cripple Liverpool’s title hunt.
Branthwaite’s goal had to go through a VAR check before it was confirmed.
However, it has been revealed that next season the decision may have gone the other way.
This is because of the introduction of semi-automated offside technology.
Premier League clubs rejected it’s implementation at the start of the season before voting it into use for the 2024/25 season – though clubs have been blasted because it will not be ready from the start of the campaign.
ESPN reporter Dale Johnson explained: “Everton’s goal was onside as Jarrad Branthwaite was within the tolerance level of the current offside technology.
What is semi-automated offside technology?
Semi-automated offside technology is a support tool for the video match officials and on-field officials.
According to FIFA, it helps them make ‘’faster, more reproducible, and more accurate offside decisions’’.
Semi-automated offside technology uses 12 tracking cameras mounted underneath the roof of the stadium to track the ball and up to 29 data points of each individual player – calculating their exact position on the pitch, plus a chip in the ball to determine if it was played by a defender or attacker.
So in the case of an offside situation, the video operations room will receive an automated alert alongside an automatic selected point and an instant drawn lines within seconds of the incident.
Match officials will then have to validate the proposed selected kick point and the drawn offside line before VAR communicates the final decision on the pitch.
Extra VAR officials will be in charge of calling offsides with the algorithm providing a 3D animation to explain a call in an average of 25 seconds.
That illustration is then available on the giant screens within the stadium for TV viewers to take a look at in the next stoppage of play.
However, complex incidents or multiple incidents that occur at the same time can require a more thorough review of the situation.
“Next season with the introduction of semi-automated technology, which has no tolerance level, it may well be disallowed.”
Eagle-eyed fans were able to notice a second controversy, this time involving the lines drawn by VAR officials when checking the goal.
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The lines drawn when checking the goal were “wonky” due to the “severe camber” of the Goodison Park pitch.
Johnson explained: “Goodison Park has quite a severe camber, which means the line often looks a little weird because the tech is mapped to the pitch.
“If viewed from above the line would be completely straight.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin powered home a header in the second half to put the icing on the cake as Jurgen Klopp‘s side missed a catalogue of chances to score.
Reds icon Jamie Carragher said after the game: “This is the end of the title run for Liverpool. It almost feels like the end.
“Tonight is Everton‘s night, you have to take it on the chin.
“They played into Everton’s hands. The way Liverpool started was really naive, poor, giving silly fouls away.
“They got into the game but the chance (Darwin) Nunez misses before half time is unforgivable at this level. That’s not acceptable at this level.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been linked with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot as the successor to Klopp.
Slot snubbed Spurs, hates defending and has a PASS named after him
By Dan King
LIVERPOOL managerial target Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands’ big three.
But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
“The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 – a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
Click here to read all about the incoming Liverpool boss.