Brendan Rodgers shares Jurgen Klopp view after “computer game” red card in Celtic thrashing

Brendan Rodgers echoed Jurgen Klopp by questioning the use of still images during VAR checks after his Celtic team were reduced to 10 men in the first half of their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.

After picking up just one point from their first three group games, Rodgers’ team needed a result in Spain to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. However, after going behind early to an Antoine Griezmann goal, their task was made harder when Daizen Maeda saw red.

Japan international Maeda was initially shown a yellow card for a foul on Atleti’s Mario Hermoso. After referee Ivan Kruzliak went over to the screen, though, the yellow was updated to a straight red, and the hosts took advantage of the extra man to run out 6-0 winners.

“We’re really disappointed with the sending off,” Rodgers told TNT Sports. “When you see the images that the referee’s seen, it wasn’t representative of the actual challenge.”

“Both players sort of clashed feet, kicked each other, so for us then to lose a man for that was going to be really difficult,” he added. Then when asked if he felt the reaction to home fans was a factor, he said “no doubt”.

“I don’t want to go on about the officials, I’ve never been one, really, to go on,” the former Leicester boss continued. “You have to accept decisions but there’s no doubt – it feels more like it’s a computer game, the constant looking at the screens.

“And like I say, when the referee comes over to see the incident, it’s not a reflection of the actual challenge. It’s a still with his foot up, which straight away plants the seed for the referee, and then from there his influence is then to send the player off.”

Rodgers’ comments follow similar complaints from Klopp after Curtis Jones’ red card against Tottenham in the Premier League. Like Maeda, Liverpool midfielder Jones was initially shown a yellow card before referee Simon Hooper upgraded it to red.

“Curtis Jones got a red card and I stick to the opinion that it’s not a red card,” said the manager, who appealed the decision. “The referee got called to the screen and saw, for the first three seconds, a frozen picture and I would have immediately given a red card for that picture.

“Then he sees the replay in slow-motion and I would have given a red card for the slow-motion. But in real time it is not a red card.”

Liverpool’s appeal against the Jones red card was unsuccessful, meaning the England Under-21 midfielder served a three-match ban. He would have been available for selection again as Klopp’s team took on Luton, only for a minor injury issue to rule him out of the 1-1 draw.