The WORST refereeing decisions against Liverpool this season - RANKED

Social media's 'LiVARpool' brigade were delivered another blow in their elaborate conspiracy theories when Liverpool faced Manchester City. 

Yet again, it was actually the Reds who were on the wrong end of a decision at Anfield in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, robbed of a stonewall penalty in the 98th minute against the champions.

In what could prove a pivotal moment in the title race come the end of the current campaign, Liverpool were denied the opportunity to grab an important three points against one of their challengers.

Much to the frustration of many of the club's supporters, it was another decision on the big stage that went against Jurgen Klopp's side, with the Liverpool boss similarly exasperated himself after the full-time whistle.

As of early February, Liverpool were the side who led the league table in VAR errors, and things haven't got much better since then.

A truly depressing list, here are the seven worst refereeing decisions to go against Liverpool this season - ranked.

7. CURTIS JONES RED CARD VS TOTTENHAM

While Liverpool felt harshly treated by the officials at the time of their infamous 2-1 defeat at Spurs, the decision to send Curtis Jones off after 26 minutes in north London looks even more ridiculous now.

Having planted his foot on the top of the ball, Jones' boot rolled across it and made contact with Yves Bissouma's ankle - an incident initially only deemed to be a yellow card.

However, VAR asked the referee to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor, with the yellow being upgraded to red.

A game-defining moment, there have been countless similar incidents this season that have been punished with just a yellow card, once again highlighting the lack of consistency in the Premier League.

Despite appealing the decision, Liverpool were unable to stop Jones receiving a three-match ban.

6. MOHAMED SALAH OFFSIDE VS BURNLEY

While it wasn't a decision that proved costly for the Reds, it was another ludicrous call from the officials.

Having already seen a goal chalked out for an incredibly soft foul in the first half, Liverpool thought they had doubled their lead against Burnley after the restart when Harvey Elliott converted a cross from inside the penalty area.

However, VAR ruled the goal out because Mohamed Salah was supposedly standing in the eyeline of goalkeeper James Trafford while in an offside position.

Whether that was the case is debatable, but VAR failed to take into consideration the fact that the Burnley centre-back had actually pushed Salah into an offside position.

Jurgen Klopp labelled the decision "insane" and "ridiculous" after the full-time whistle, and he wasn't wrong.

5. DIOGO JOTA RED CARD VS TOTTENHAM

Another controversial incident in north London, Liverpool finished their 2-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with just nine men thanks to Diogo Jota's red card.

The Portuguese picked up two yellows against Spurs for trips on Destiny Udogie, but the Italian full-back actually tripped himself on the second occasion that Jota was cautioned.

VAR were unable to intervene even if they had wanted to due to the fact that it wasn't a straight red card.

The Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents Panel determined that Jota shouldn't have been sent off after the match, although that was of little comfort to Liverpool who ended up walking away from the match with nothing.

4. ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER RED CARD VS BOURNEMOUTH

Even the FA acknowledged that they had got the decision to send Alexis Mac Allister off during a 3-1 win against Bournemouth wrong, even though it didn't end up costing the Reds.

Mac Allister saw his red card rescinded upon appeal by Liverpool, but that doesn't detract from what was an absurd decision.

The Argentine was punished for having his studs up when going into a challenge with Ryan Christie, but his foot was low in the tackle and made minimal contact with the Bournemouth man.

Despite this, Mac Allister was shown a straight red card with half-an-hour to play. Fortunately, Liverpool were able to score a third and grab all three points.

3. STOPPAGE-TIME PENALTY VS MAN CITY

While the aforementioned decisions didn't deny Liverpool victory, Michael Oliver and VAR's incompetence during the Reds' 1-1 draw may well have done.

With 98 minutes on the clock and the scores level, Man City's Jeremy Doku should have been punished for studding Mac Allister in the chest in the penalty area, but the incident was ignored by officials.

It certainly would have been a foul anywhere else on the pitch and may very well have been awarded as a penalty had it not taken place in stoppage time during a gargantuan title clash.

Klopp was once again left fuming at what was a pretty obvious call, while former referees also agreed with the Liverpool boss about the decision even if Howard Webb has since tried to re-write reality.

Instead of going four points clear of Man City, Liverpool are now just one ahead of Pep Guardiola's side, and have dropped behind Arsenal on goal difference.

2. MARTIN ODEGAARD HANDBALL VS ARSENAL

Liverpool were hard done by against another title rival back in December, with referee Chris Kavanagh turning a blind eye to a significant moment at Anfield.

Following a Liverpool free kick, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard clearly handled the ball inside the penalty area with his arm outstretched and hanging low.

Despite being seemingly another obvious call, VAR chose not to intervene, potentially costing Liverpool more precious points in the title race.

Speaking after the game against the Gunners, Klopp said: "I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don't know how."

1. LUIS DIAZ OFFSIDE VS TOTTENHAM

The most monumental error that VAR has made in the Premier League, Luis Diaz's wrongly disallowed goal against Tottenham earlier in the season was another shocking decision from officials.

Liverpool's Colombian raced on to a Mohamed Salah pass to fire beyond Guglielmo Vicario, only for the linesman to flag for offside.

VAR then confirmed that the goal was actually onside, but a mix-up in communication meant that the on-field decision of offside stood.

By the time the officials realised, it was too late as the game had already been restarted. Liverpool went on to lose the match 2-1 in the 96th minute in what was an error-strewn afternoon for the referees.

It was another costly decision that went against the Reds in a big game, and the most flabbergasting VAR mistake that English football has seen.