Luton captain Tom Lockyer reveals why he 'HATES' VAR

Luton Town defender Tom Lockyer has revealed why he 'hates' VAR after referencing a contentious moment during his side's 1-1 draw with Liverpool earlier this season.

Lockyer is currently taking time away from the game after suffering a horrifying cardiac arrest in the 59th minute of the Hatters' game against Bournemouth in December, which saw his heart stop for nearly three minutes.

The 29-year-old had a defibrillator fitted and is still undergoing tests before determining whether he should return to football - and instead has been doing media work until such a decision can be made.

Lockyer was speaking to BBC 5 Live head of Luton's trip to Liverpool on Wednesday night and could not help but air his frustration over an incident that happened at Kenilworth Road when the two sides last met.

Luton took a shock lead against the title chasers in the 80th minute when Tahith Chong rifled home - but Lockyer says he could not celebrate because he noticed the ball had touched Ross Barkley's arm in the build-up.

When asked for his thoughts on the video technology, he said: 'I hate VAR purely on the fact that when I score a goal I can't celebrate fully knowing it's going to be checked for every inch of play leading up to it.'

Lockyer suggested that he prefers the feeling of scoring a goal in the Championship without VAR and said by the time Chong's goal had been given, he had lost all enthusiasm to celebrate.

'In the Championship, you score a goal, look at the linesman, referee gives the goal, you go nuts. This time - we scored against Liverpool. Van Dijk had a header and it hit Ross Barkley's arm. He's not even looking at the ball but I know how VAR is with handballs. We counter and score.

'I know it's hit Ross Barkley's arm. Tahith Chong is in the crowd. I want to join him but I know this is getting checked. I say to the ref: "what's going on?" He said "checking a possible handball". So it's either a goal or a penalty to Liverpool. There's no inbetween.

'Three minutes later or however long it takes, referee blows his whistle, it's been cleared - goal. And then I can't be a***d celebrating.'

Lockyer is not the first to voice concerns over VAR this season.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta called it a 'disgrace' earlier this season after Newcastle's controversial winning goal through Anthony Gordon was allowed to stand.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp demanded his Liverpool side's 2-1 loss against Tottenahm to be replayed following unprecedented errors in the build up to Luis Diaz's disallowed goal.