Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says a dive and VAR was to blame for the champions’ losing start to their Champions League title defence.
The Reds went down 2-0 at Napoli after a controversial 82nd-minute penalty and last-minute mistake by Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool leftback Andy Robertson was adjudged to have fouled José Callejón, which turned the game in favour of Carlo Ancelotti’s hosts.
But after replays which showed Callejon going down before contact, referee Felix Brych’s decision to award a spotkick was not deemed a clear and obvious error by VAR.
And Klopp says: “I’m pretty sure there are different views, but when the player jumps before there is contact then there cannot be a penalty.
“That was the game-changer. It was very decisive in the moment.
FRUSTRATED: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, right. Photo: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters.
“I could say a lot of things about it but I’m not a bad loser. I’m not the best loser, but I’m not bad.
“It’s a decision made by human beings. The rules say if it is not a clear mistake and it’s still humans who decide if it’s a mistake.
"I think it [VAR] will help in the long-term but as long as human beings make the decision there is still potential for failure.
“We are all like this. What can I say?”.
Dries Mertens converted the penalty before Van Dijk’s poor backpass allowed substitute Fernando Llorente to steal in and score in injury time.
Liverpool will now turn their attention to Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.