It is probably safe to say that VAR has not made the best first impression.


Having started out as the comedic pantomime scoundrel of the footballing world, VAR is beginning to take the shape of a supervillain of the 'He Who Shall Not be Named' variety.

We haven't chosen that particular master of the dark arts without good reason either, as the simple mention of VAR is enough to turn the stomach of a football fan.

The recent spate of frightfully marginal offside calls have really turned the tide against the new system with goals being ruled out for armpits, toes and even heals that have been adjudged to be beyond the final defender.

The simple fact of the matter is that it simply can't go on like this and it is not surprising that everyone under the sun is offering their revolutionary solution to the problem.

However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has now waded into the debate, offering up what, on paper at least, seems to be a very simple problem solver.

Speaking ahead of his sides new year's clash with Sheffield United, Klopp stated that the offside line used in VAR should simply be made thicker.

"We had a manager meeting with UEFA and it was decided to make the line bigger [wider]. I would like that.

"I don't know who would decide that. That it doesn't take so long until a decision would also be better.

"It's not the biggest problem in the world. We want to have clarification and right decisions, offside we get that now, the only problem is it feels like half an hour until the toenail is offside.

"But that's the decision."

There you go - it might be simple but you can't help but think it would be effective.

In the end, the current system, according to the letter of the law has been getting the decisions right but it takes an absolute age.

VAr is here to stay, there is no getting around that and so we just have to hope that the ruling with regards to offsides changes.

Until then, it might be best to keep your noses and your armpits well onside.