Liverpool are not LiVARpool but Wolves have right to be angry

Liverpool fans know all about the importance of small margins.

Last season, not even a club record 97 points was enough to claim the title, Manchester City finishing a single point clear.

That was primarily due to defeat at the Etihad, when Sadio Mane came within 11mm of scoring a goal that could ultimately have sent the Premier League to Anfield.

So when VAR reared its extremely ugly head here for the benefit of Jurgen Klopp's side, few home supporters were complaining.

In truth, the decision of VAR Simon Hooper to overrule referee Anthony Taylor and allow Sadio Mane's opener had nothing to do with minor details – it was a blatant error by the official to chalk it off for handball for Adam Lallana.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers players were absolutely furious, although their anger will surely have subdued on seeing a replay.

But they had ever right to be livid when, in first-half injury time, Pedro Neto's equaliser was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check spotted Diogo Jota offside by the tiniest amount during the build-up.

If the pictures are to be believed – and nobody talks about the obvious margin for error when using such technology – then it was just about the right call.

And it instantly rendered Neto's over-the-top theatrics in front of the Main Stand the greatest non-celebration of all time.

However, the decision wasn't in the spirit of the game, and could be argued either way – it wasn't the huge blunder, such as with Mane's strike, that VAR should be used to overturn. There were similar incidents involving Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion the previous day.

The term “LiVARpool” began trending on social media, underlining the thoughts of many rival fans that the Reds are benefiting more than anyone.

This rather conveniently forgets Roberto Firmino's armpit at Villa Park and the collective myopic episode that saw all officials miss Victor Lindelof's foul on Divock Origi at Old Trafford.

It's not as though Liverpool need the extra help anyway, this latest victory again moving them 13 points clear with a game in hand at the halfway point of their Premier League season.

“It's not football any more” sang the Wolves fans after the game. They're not entirely wrong.

But Liverpool deserve credit for maintaining their composure amid the maelstrom, as they have done on several occasions already this season. The Red machine goes on.