Express & Star

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce left fuming at officials following defeat to Liverpool

Sam Allardyce berated VAR and the overall standard of officiating in the Premier League after Albion were beaten by Liverpool.

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The clash at The Hawthorns will forever be remembered for goalkeeper Alisson scoring a last-minute winner to hand Jurgen Klopp's side a 2-1 victory.

But earlier in the second half, the Baggies were hugely unfortunate to see a Kyle Bartley goal chalked off for offside.

After Semi Ajayi had won a header from a corner, Bartley stuck out a boot and flicked the ball into the back of the net.

There was nothing Alisson could have done to stop it.

But Matt Phillips was stood in an offside position and was then very unlucky to be judged to be interfering with play.

An angry Allardyce said: "You turn to VAR and ask why on earth was that disallowed?

"If down at Stockley Park they said that's right then that's nonsense.

"If they say the referee or the linesman disallowed that goal it's a disgrace. There is no interference with the goalkeeper whatsoever. It's baffling."

Mo Salah had earlier pulled Liverpool level after Hal Robson-Kanu had given the Baggies a first-half lead at The Hawthorns.

In the build-up to Salah's strike, Klopp's side were awarded a free-kick.

And Allardyce was also unhappy with that decision and the overall performance of referee Mike Dean.

"Liverpool had a free-kick which shouldn't have been a free-kick and should have been a drop ball," the 66-year-old continued.

"If we are to get anything from Liverpool we needed a bit of luck and nothing from VAR or the officials and unfortunately we got that.

"[The referee] is supposed to know the rules. He got that wrong.

"I can only point out to say how disappointed I am that an experienced referee can make a mistake like that.

"The other goal is beyond belief. It's absolutely diabolical."

On Alisson's goal, Allardyce said: "Our disappointment is us allowing their goalkeeper to get the winner after we switched off.

"It’s difficult to take because we did exceptionally well against Liverpool by shutting them down and not letting them do what they want. We frustrated them.

"I think Jurgen Klopp knows he has gotten away with one."