Turning point to the Europa League? Liverpool sent a letter to the refereeing organization asking for clarification on two surprising moments in a recent Premier League game.
On May 23, 2023, several English media agencies reported that Liverpool sent a letter to England Professional Football Refereeing Organization (PGMOL) to ask for an explanation regarding the decision of 2 outstanding moments in the latest English Premier League match, which was held to a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last Saturday.
The first moment came in the 45th minute when Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa’s defender, jabbed Cody Kakpo squarely in the abdomen, but received only a yellow card. Not getting a red card and being sent off the field While the score was 0-1 behind, a photo of the “Reds” striker lifting his shirt to show the wound from being sustained was widely shared on social media.
The second moment was when Liverpool missed out on an equalizing goal in the 55th minute after VAR checked that there was an offside situation. Luis Diaz headed the ball and bounced off Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa first. Going into the path of Virgil Van Dijk, knocking it back for Ibrahima Konate to shoot and get blocked and it was Cody Gakpo who repeated the final sword. But this moment did not result in a goal until the “Reds” had to equalize 1-1 in the 89th minute from Roberto Firmino.
The Premier League later came out to explain the reason why Liverpool’s goal was forfeited for being offside, saying, “Virgil van Dijk was in the offside position first. Following Luis Diaz’s header, VAR signaled a review of the move and referee John Brooks ruled that the moment the ball bounced off Ezri Konsa was not considered to be foul play. Played on purpose.”
The draw with Aston Villa puts Liverpool at risk of falling out of the top four and securing a ticket to the UEFA Champions League next season and may have to compete in the Europa League instead. Because the “Reds” now have 66 points, still ranked 5th with just 1 match remaining, but 3 points behind Manchester United, 4th place, with the “Red Devils” competing in less than 2 games.
