Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp rips VAR on disputed Manchester United goal

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Liverpool FC preserved its undefeated record in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Manchester United, but manager Jurgen Klopp was none too pleased. 

Klopp ripped VAR for upholding Marcus Rashford's first-half goal, which the English forward scored by capping a counter-attacking move that began when Man United defender Victor Lindelof appeared to foul Liverpool striker Divock Origi. 

"They were better in the game than we were [in the first half] for what they wanted to do," Klopp told Sky Sports after the match. "They defended well, but in the end, they scored a goal which shows all the problems with VAR. Because [referee Martin Atkinson], I'm sure, let the game run because that is the protocol of VAR, and the VAR says, 'Yeah, there was contact. Was a foul.' But you saw it differently, then it's [no call]. ...

"100 percent, like it's 100 percent because for me it was a clear foul. We take that. We couldn't change it anymore. It's just the situation. It's just a general problem. The looks at it and says, 'Oh, you decided it like this. That's possible.' ... But it was a foul, and they didn't decide it."

Klopp expanded on his thoughts during his post-match press conference, telling reporters that he was certain VAR would overturn Rashford's opening goal. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Klopp's counterpart in Man United's dugout, threw some shade at the German's view.

Klopp threw some, too. Liverpool retained 68 percent of possession in Mo Salah's injury absence, but just four of its 10 shots were on target. Klopp owed that to United's defense-first approach, which he said has been the case in each of Liverpool's recent matches against its rivals -- whether under Solskjaer or predecessor Jose Mourinho. 

The approach has worked against Klopp, however. After Sunday's draw, he remains winless at Old Trafford. 

Liverpool's lead over Manchester City atop the English Premier League table fell to just six points. Considering how close the margins were between the sides last season, Rashford's upheld goal could represent a turning point in the title race. 

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