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Official removed from Liverpool vs Arsenal at last minute after blunder
Aug 31 2025 13:38 · By Phil Haigh
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Michael Salisbury has been axed from Liverpool vs Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)
The official who was set to be the video assistant referee for Liverpool vs Arsenal has been removed after an error in Chelsea’s win over Fulham on Saturday.
There has been a late change to the officiating team for the big game on Sunday, with Michael Salisbury removed and replaced by John Brooks.
The switch comes after Salisbury intervened following Fulham’s Josh King believing he had opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The referee, Robert Jones, was told to look at the monitor and he eventually ruled the goal out due to a questionable foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah in the build up.
The Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) have now admitted that Salisbury was wrong to intervene and he has been taken out of the firing line for Liverpool vs Arsenal as a result.
Howard Webb, head of PGMOL, has contacted Fulham to admit the mistake by Salisbury, which could have cost them a result on Saturday.
Chelsea went on to win the match 2-0 , with goals from Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez.
Josh King's opening goal is disallowed for a 'careless challenge' after VAR review ❌📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5pLOwOcPc2 — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 30, 2025
Fulham boss Marco Silva was fuming about the decision which ruled out King’s goal, what would have been a first for Fulham for the 18-year-old.
‘In the first half I saw my team playing outstanding football,’ said Silva. ‘Playing football – not trying to be fake, not parking the bus or something like that. All the decisions from the VAR and the referee made a massive impact on the game.
‘To disallow a goal like that is unbelievable. Unbelievable. We have all the meetings with the people in charge; we try to see their direction. One of the main things was: “VAR is not here to referee the game.”
‘I would prefer to say nothing more as I will be punished. I want to be on the bench for the next game, I don’t want to pay fines. But it has been difficult with so many decisions against us at the start of the season.’
Robert Jones ruled out Josh King’s goal after reviewing the Muniz incident (Picture: Getty Images)
Former Fulham and Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy could not believe the goal was disallowed thanks to VAR.