Me and my teammates are taking a stand—this game was a complete disaster, and we DEMAND a replay! From the first whistle to the final second, everything about it was wrong—the officiating, the calls, even the extra time. It’s clear they wanted us to drop points, and we REFUSE to accept this robbery. This is beyond unfair—it’s a disgrace to football! We won’t stay silent. A replay is the ONLY option. We must take a stand we are with you in this this game had a winner Even before the game started💔🙀😱
Liverpool Demands Replay After Controversial Merseyside Derby
Following a highly contentious Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on February 12, 2025, Liverpool’s squad and coaching staff have united in calling for a rematch.
The club insists that the match was marred by multiple officiating errors and dubious decisions, which they believe compromised the fairness of the competition.
The game concluded in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Everton’s James Tarkowski netting a last-minute equalizer in the eighth minute of stoppage time. However, controversy arose when Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté appeared to be fouled in the lead-up to the goal. Despite the incident, referee Michael Oliver and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) failed to intervene, which has become the focal point of Liverpool’s complaints.
Tensions escalated after the final whistle when a heated exchange between Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré resulted in both players receiving red cards. Adding to the chaos, Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, was also dismissed following a dispute with the referee.
These events have reinforced Liverpool’s claims of unfair officiating and poor match management.
In an official statement, the club expressed their discontent, stating: “The officiating was riddled with errors from start to finish. The decisions went against us in critical moments, and we believe a replay is necessary to uphold the integrity of the sport.”
Liverpool is now preparing to submit a formal appeal to the Premier League, citing the series of refereeing mistakes and VAR’s failure to rectify them. The club argues that these errors had a direct impact on the final outcome and that a rematch is the only way to ensure fairness.
Although calls for replays due to refereeing decisions are uncommon and rarely granted, there have been precedents. For instance, in 2024, the Belgian Pro League mandated a replay of a match between Anderlecht and Genk after a VAR mistake led to an incorrect application of the rules, affecting the result.
Liverpool’s push for a rematch underscores their commitment to fair play and the credibility of football officiating. The club insists that their protest is not solely about this particular match but about broader concerns regarding officiating standards and the effectiveness of VAR.
As the Premier League reviews Liverpool’s appeal, the controversy has reignited debates about the role of VAR and the quality of officiating in top-tier football.
Liverpool’s stance has received support from various corners of the football community, with many advocating for a thorough review of the match and the questionable decisions made.
The league’s response to this appeal could have far-reaching consequences for the future use of VAR and how refereeing controversies are handled in the sport. For now, all eyes are on the Premier League as it determines the
next course of action.
