Premier League replace VAR for Liverpool's title showdown with Arsenal after incorrect intervention in Chelsea's controversial win against Fulham

Three hours before kick-off at Anfield between the reigning champions and last season's runners-up, it was confirmed that Salisbury would be taken off VAR duty for the Liverpool-Arsenal clash. John Brooks was swapped in as the late change to the officiating lineup based at Stockley Park.

The change by refereeing body PGMOL came after Salisbury's VAR intervention during Saturday's west London derby between Chelsea and Fulham, which saw a goal for the latter disallowed at 0-0 midway through the first half. Chelsea eventually went on to win the game 2-0. Joshua King put the ball in the net for the Cottagers, but Salisbury flagged to on-field referee Robert Jones a potential foul in the build-up. The focus was on inconclusive or minimal contact between Rodrigo Muniz and Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and the baffling decision was to disallow the goal. The Premier League's official Match Centre account on X labelled it a "careless" challenge from Muniz, standing on the foot of Chalobah, in justification.

The Daily Mail's Mike Keegan reported that PGMOL "acknowledged" that it was a mistake to disallow the Fulham goal, with chief refereeing officer Howard Webb personally contacting the club about it.

The Premier League and PGMOL will hope that Sunday's heavyweight clash at Anfield goes down without the focus being on questionable officiating. It could also be a little while before Salisbury, or indeed Jones, land their next high profile games.