‘Have to say’ - Lord Alan Sugar makes VAR controversy claim amid Liverpool request

Alan Sugar has become the latest figure to join the debate regarding the VAR controversy in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds were denied the chance to open the scoring when Luis Diaz found the back of the net in the first half. Although Diaz was flagged offside, video replays clearly showed he was in a legal position - but VAR referee Darren England made a significant error.

Liverpool have now requested referee association PGMOL to release the audio footage conducted between the match officials, having already released a statement insisting to ‘explore the range of options available” to them to reach a resolution.

The Reds were already at a numerical disadvantage at the time as Curtis Jones had been given a red card - after on-field referee Simon Hooper overturned his decision from yellow after taking a look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Although Jurgen Klopp’s side performed admirably, ending the game with nine men as Diogo Jota also received his marching orders, a Joel Matip own goal in the dying embers left the visitors crestfallen.

But Lord Sugar, the former Tottenham chairman and presenter of BBC’s The Apprentice, sympathised with Liverpool and the action they are taking. He wrote on Twitter: “Spurs v Liverpool: As a Spurs fan, I have to say that Liverpool have a very good case to argue. Clearly their goal should have been allowed. The ramifications of that mistake could cost Liverpool at the end of the season.

“I welcomed the advent of goal line technology and VAR. I recall a game under Martin Jol against Man U where the goalkeeper scooped a ball from 3 foot inside the net but no goal was given. On match of the day it was crystal clear they showed it. We lost that game 1 nil it should have been a draw.”