Everton

Everton: Footage shows VAR may have made major error in Merseyside derby

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Image for Everton: Footage shows VAR may have made major error in Merseyside derby

Footage from Everton’s weekend game seems to suggest that they were on the wrong side of a controversial VAR call over the weekend.

In their most recent outing, the Toffees played hosts in the Merseyside derby as they took on their biggest foes in the Premier League.

In the end, the game ended all square at 0-0 despite both Liverpool and Everton having numerous chances to steal all three points on the day, with each side hitting the woodwork.

With things being fairly even throughout and the scoreline evidently tight, one key incident likely would have changed the complexion of the game.

Indeed, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was shown a yellow card for a ‘crude challenge’ on Amadou Onana. However, footage of the incident, as well as this still image, suggests it could well have been upgraded to a red card had VAR opted to intervene.

TIF Thoughts on the foul and Everton…

With Van Dijk clearly arriving late and his studs high planted on Onana’s ankle, it certainly is the sort of foul that could end up being given as a red card and endangering the player’s safety.

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka was sent off for a similar foul against Manchester City last season with his studs going into Joao Cancelo at about the same height – though he leaves the ground in a lunge whereas Van Dijk stays on his feet.

Even so, the decision was a marginal one but it went in the Reds’ favour, which will no doubt be a source of great frustration for Everton fans – especially as they could have put an end to Liverpool’s prior 11-game unbeaten streak against them in the league, which now extends to 12 matches.

Do you think the foul should have been a red card?

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