17 May 2024 , 10:11
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Jurgen Klopp used his final pre-match press conference as Liverpool boss to declare he would support VAR being scrapped.
Premier League clubs are set to discuss the future of the technology at next month’s AGM after Wolverhampton Wanderers tabled a proposal to end its use. A majority of 14 top-flight clubs will need to vote with Wolves, with the expectation that the resolution will not pass.
Liverpool are one of the clubs expected to push for the continued use of VAR next season, hoping for improvements rather than its removal. But Klopp, who manages the Reds for the final time this weekend, has confirmed that in its current state, he would be on the side of ditching it.
Klopp said: "How it's used is definitely not right. How they use it, I would vote against it. These people cannot do it properly. VAR is not the problem, you cannot change the people so I would vote for scrapping VAR."
It’s Wolves who make the trip to Anfield for Klopp’s final game, with their chairman Jeff Shi warning of ‘irrevocable damage’ to the Premier League if radical changes are not implemented.
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Shi told "The Premier League’s match attending fans are becoming increasingly disengaged due to the negative impact of VAR on our match experience, which is also leading to apathy and hostility in the stands and on social media, negative and damaging rhetoric from pundits, players and managers and a destructive erosion of trust in football’s authorities and officials,
"All of this is detrimental to the Premier League’s brand and reputation, and if we don’t halt it now, the damage may become irrevocable."
Premier League clubs will discuss the future of VAR at next month's AGM (Getty Images)Klopp branded Wolves ‘the champions’ of VAR misfortune having seen a number of decisions go against them this term. And he warned his players that Gary O’Neil’s side would be out to spoil the party on what promises to be an emotionally charged afternoon at Anfield.
“It's a massive challenge to sit here. I've no idea how the team meeting will be,” Klopp said. “The documentary guys are here and asked if they could come and I said no.
“Can I be on fire? Probably yes but I don't know. I want us to play top football, people come for that. Atmosphere will be cool if it can be a football atmosphere.
“Wolves are the most unlucky team I saw with VAR decisions. We had a few but they are the champions of that. They want to finish on a high.
He added: "Standing there and pretending it’s a normal game, it's a challenge for different reasons this time. I hope we can put a good performance on the pitch.”
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