PGMOL make major VAR decision for Liverpool vs Arsenal after huge Chelsea error

Referee Michael Salisbury has been removed from VAR for Liverpool vs Arsenal (Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Premier League referee John Brooks has replaced Michael Salisbury as the video assistant referee (VAR) for Arsenal's huge Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

Salisbury officiated Chelsea's 2-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge yesterday and has come under spotlight with his performance. Fulham had a goal disallowed in the first-half of the game after 18-year-old Joshua King calmly slotted home.

However, VAR intervened and requested on-field referee Rob Jones to review an incident between Rodrigo Munoz and Trevoh Chalobah . Replays showed the Fulham striker accidentally stepping on the defender's foot in the build-up to the goal.

Jones decided to rule the goal out, announcing on the pitch: "After review, Fulham number nine commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the goal and we restart with a Chelsea free-kick."

The decision has been heavily criticised by pundits and former referee Mike Dean. Fulham boss Marco Silva was also left fuming as his side went on to lose 2-0.

Now, it's been reported that Salisbury has been replaced by Brooks as VAR for the huge clash at Anfield today. According to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, the change is a result of Salisbury intervening while on VAR duty which resulted in King's goal being wrongly ruled out.

The Daily Mail's Mike Keegan has also claimed that the refereeing body PGMOL 'acknowledge error made when disallowing Fulham goal'. Chief Refereeing Officer for the PGMOL Howard Webb has contacted Fulham directly.