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League Managers Association (LMA) chief executive Richard Bevan has revealed that Premier League clubs are demanding significant alterations to VAR.
This follows the furore over Liverpool's disallowed goal against Manchester City. The Reds believed they had drawn level at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, only for a VAR check to rule it out for a supposed offside offense from Andy Robertson.
Manchester City was 1-0 ahead through Erling Haaland's header when Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk's effort from a Mohamed Salah corner was ruled out. Michael Oliver judged Robertson to have been positioned offside in front of the home side's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, though it is understood that Liverpool has contacted the PGMOL regarding the call.
Pep Guardiola's team subsequently secured a 3-0 victory courtesy of additional goals from Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku.
And while the Reds couldn't complain about the result based on their performance, going in level at half-time would have meant a different second period.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, in partnership with Boyle Sports, Bevan revealed that managers have been holding discussions with Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb.
They are said to want referees and VARs to work in pairs, believing this approach will enhance consistency and increase accurate decision-making.
"We've had a lot of Premier League managers' meetings with Howard Webb about VAR, some good and some not so good," the LMA boss stated.
"Premier League managers would like to see the VAR referee being someone who is refereeing with the man on the pitch every week, so there's not a nervous relationship.
"That's so they understand each other, they understand how they operate to a greater degree, and Howard Webb and PGMOL are working towards that.
"Recruitment is a big issue for them, and training and development. I think they will get there eventually, but it's about trying to make fewer errors, because VAR is here to stay.
"The VAR referee should be permanent, not one week on and one week off. The more games that they do, then practice makes perfect."
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Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, also speaking on the podcast, believes the alteration would prove advantageous.
"There's nothing wrong with VAR and there never has been," he insisted. "Unfortunately, it's human error. Stop complicating the game, and let it be simple like it always was.
"Referees don't like looking after VAR, they want to be on the pitch refereeing. They should use referees who are just retired and still sharp, as they will likely have very little to do. They will know the rules and regulations better than anyone.
"However, they need to improve their numbers. I remember talking to referees when I was finishing about how much they do.
"We talk about fatigue in players but not referees, especially when they're in Europe. They can be doing four games a week as referee, fourth official, and VAR, you can't flog them to death."
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