Introduction: Liverpool receives a penalty
Liverpool were left furious after a deciding VAR decision was taken against them in their game. Cody Gakpo went down inside the box under pressure, but after an extended review, the referee and VAR agreed—no penalty. The ruling has left fans and experts scratching their heads.
The Incident with Liverpool
In the first half, Gakpo, in a sharp movement, made his way into the Brentford penalty area. When he tried to beat the defender, there was clear contact. Liverpool players acted quickly, expecting a penalty. However, the referee did not, and VAR later confirmed the on-field decision.
Replays showed there was some contact on Gakpo’s leg, but officials deemed it wasn’t enough for a spot-kick. Anfield’s response was one of shock, with most believing the forward was denied a clear opportunity to net.
VAR’s Verdict
VAR checked for a “clear and obvious” error, reports indicated. The system failed to find enough evidence to reverse the referee’s call. The call was according to standard Premier League protocol, but it did not sit well with Liverpool fans, who feel calls like these have gone against them too many times this campaign.
Arne Slot was seen shaking his head on the touchline, and Gakpo also seemed agitated. The Dutch striker had been playing so well and was keen to continue his goal-scoring run, but fortune did not smile upon him.
Author’s Opinion
VAR was meant to bring fairness, but this shows how subjective decisions can still be. The challenge on Gakpo looked evident, and most managers would be expecting a penalty under such circumstances. For Liverpool, it’s another wake-up call that every small call can alter momentum in tight games. However, the team must stay focused and keep pushing—decisions are irreversible, but reactions are not.
As featured on Walkon.com
