CALL FOR THE EX MEN

Get players on VAR - Souness 

- MIKE WALTERS

GRAEME SOUNESS has called for a hand-picked squad of ex-players to stop the number of VAR blunders.

The Liverpool legend says the catalogue of VAR blunders this season has "embarrassed" referees and insisted: "They need help - oh boy, they need help but it's there if they want it."

Souness, 70, believes experienced former players who know the tricks of the trade, notably the intent involved in collisions or challenges where opponents are reckless or spiteful, should be involved in the decision-making process at Stockley Park.

At the weekend, there was more humiliation for referees' body PGMOL when Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic was lucky not to be sent off for a poor tackle on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard following a VAR check.

Minutes later, referee Michael Oliver handed Kovacic another lifeline when the Croatian caught £105m Gunners record signing Declan Rice with an ill-advised lunge.