Liverpool’s 2024–25 campaign was one of high drama, marked not just by their pursuit of silverware but also by the recurring shadow of VAR. As the technology continued to embed itself into the fabric of Premier League officiating, its influence on Liverpool’s matches became both inescapable and controversial. From marginal offsides to disputed penalties, VAR was a frequent headline-maker in the Reds’ season. The technology promised fairness but delivered moments of frustration and inconsistency, sparking debates among fans, players, and analysts alike.
The Tipping Point of Influence
By midseason, it had become increasingly evident that VAR was no longer operating as a support mechanism—it was actively influencing outcomes in decisive moments. A flashpoint came during Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur on September 30, 2023. Luis Díaz scored a goal that was wrongly disallowed for offside despite being clearly onside.
The VAR team mistakenly believed the on-field decision had been to award the goal, leading them to confirm the offside without intervention. PGMOL later acknowledged it was a “clear and obvious factual error” and described the incident as a “significant human error,” adding that a review of the process would follow.
Controversy followed Liverpool into their January 2024 match against Chelsea, where VAR again came under scrutiny. Two incidents involving Virgil van Dijk went unchecked. First, Conor Gallagher was brought down in the box, yet no penalty was awarded, and VAR did not suggest a review.
Later, van Dijk made contact with Christopher Nkunku’s foot during a challenge, but again, no action was taken. The lack of consistency in applying VAR protocol during these high-profile moments amplified criticism of the system’s reliability across the league.
The unpredictable nature of these interventions hasn’t just affected tactics, it’s transformed how odds are framed across platforms. Markets connected to football betting now routinely incorporate referee profiles and VAR usage data to hedge against sudden match swings. Platforms have been forced to build algorithms that react in real-time, with odds adjusting even before a VAR check concludes. This trend illustrates how deeply officiating unpredictability has penetrated betting logic.
Statistical Context: Liverpool’s VAR Net Impact
Across the 2024–25 Premier League season, VAR initiated 107 overturns. While Liverpool was not the most affected team statistically, their high-profile matches meant each intervention had significant weight. In the 3–1 win over Bournemouth, Mohamed Salah converted a controversial penalty awarded after minimal contact, confirmed via VAR.
According to Dale Johnson of ESPN, these decisions often align more with subjective interpretation than objective correction. Though Liverpool came out on top, the backlash was immediate. Supporters of rival clubs accused the system of bias, while others pointed to inconsistency across the league.
Another example of the VAR impact was in Liverpool’s narrow 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace. The winning goal came after a questionable handball in the build-up was waved off following a quick VAR check. These moments, though individually debated, collectively contributed to a season narrative where refereeing technology played a central role in Liverpool’s momentum.
Tactical Adjustments and Managerial Reactions
Arne Slot’s debut season at Liverpool involved deliberate tactical refinements aimed at mitigating the unpredictability of VAR. He shifted the team’s shape from a traditional 4-3-3 to a more controlled 4-2-3-1, incorporating a double-pivot midfield with players like Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
This formation change offered greater defensive cover, reducing exposure to VAR-triggered penalties and disciplinary actions by improving positional discipline and limiting defensive gaps.
In training, Arne Slot focused on improving decision-making under pressure, emphasizing cleaner ball retention and structured play in high-risk zones. He implemented detailed match analysis routines to study refereeing patterns and optimize player reactions in key moments.
This analytical framework helped the squad adjust in real time and maintain composure when confronted with contentious officiating, reinforcing a tactical system built on precision and adaptability.
Finding the Right Tactical Response
VAR has transformed football into a sport where technical rules meet interpretative subjectivity. For Liverpool, this has meant adapting in real time, both on the field and behind the scenes. They remain one of the best-coached teams in the league, but success this season has come not only from tactics and talent but also from managing the volatility that VAR introduced.
As the Premier League continues to refine its implementation of this technology, clubs like Liverpool will keep evolving. Whether this leads to more fairness or more frustration is still up for debate. What’s certain is that VAR is no longer a side character, it’s part of the main cast.
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