A video that recently went viral on social media allegedly shows Premier League referee David Coote making shocking remarks about Liverpool and their former manager, Jurgen Klopp. In response, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has initiated a thorough investigation into the matter, and Coote has been suspended “with immediate effect.”
Since the video’s release, five controversial VAR decisions involving Coote and Liverpool have resurfaced online. While Coote has officiated only three Premier League matches involving Liverpool, he has served as the VAR official in 13 games for the Reds, during which five decisions were overturned:
Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool, October 2019
Coote’s first VAR intervention in a Liverpool match came during their clash with Manchester United. Liverpool supporters hoped for a VAR review after Divock Origi was seemingly fouled leading up to Marcus Rashford’s opening goal. However, Coote’s intervention instead disallowed Sadio Mane’s equalizer, pointing out a handball by Mane.
Everton 2-2 Liverpool, October 2020
The Merseyside derby at Goodison Park became controversial after Everton’s Jordan Pickford injured Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk with a challenge. In the final moments, Jordan Henderson scored what appeared to be the winning goal, but Coote and VAR ruled it out due to an offside by Sadio Mane.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton, October 2023
In another Merseyside derby, referee Craig Pawson initially denied Liverpool’s penalty appeals for a handball by Everton’s Michael Keane. Coote intervened, recommending a monitor review, which led to the penalty being awarded and Mohamed Salah scoring.
Everton 2-0 Liverpool, April 2024
In the 2023/24 season’s second Merseyside derby, Coote overturned a penalty that referee Andy Madley awarded to Everton, concluding that Dominic Calvert-Lewin was offside in the build-up to the incident.
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves, May 2024
Coote’s final VAR involvement in a Liverpool game occurred during Jurgen Klopp’s last Premier League match. After reviewing a foul by Wolves’ Nelson Semedo on Alexis Mac Allister, Coote recommended a red card for Semedo due to serious foul play.
These incidents have rekindled discussions over Coote’s VAR decisions involving Liverpool, now under added scrutiny due to the ongoing investigation.
