Liverpool fans and players feel hard done by after there was a controversial decision to not award a penalty for a clear handball by the Chelsea player.
The Reds locked horns with the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and it was an exciting affair. The new Liverpool number 7, Luis Diaz opened the scoring through a beautiful Salah assist.
After that, they thought that they had doubled their advantage with a Salah goal. However, that wasn’t the case as it was deemed offside by the 4th official. Later, the Reds weren’t able to hold on to their lead as the Blues struck back through Axel Disasi.
Minutes later, they had a second goal chopped off due to another offside call by the officials. The VAR was doing a pretty good job until the point where in they ruled-off a possible penalty for a clear handball from Nicolas Jackson.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: A possible penalty incident?
This has been a topic of controversy as Liverpool fans have questioned the VAR’s poor decision. They feel that their team has been robbed of a penalty and hence weren’t able to take all 3 points.
Anthony Taylor and his team have come under fire after failing to award a penalty to Liverpool in their clash with Chelsea. It appeared that the Blues striker had handled the ball inside the D-area.
However, VAR justified the decision by citing Jackson’s ‘proximity to the ball and his tucked-in arms.’ But, the lack of consistency in decision-making is frustrating the fans.
Speaking at the end of the game, Roy Keane admitted Jackson was ‘a lucky boy’. He even said that it would have been harsh to give a penalty against the forward.
However, the former Liverpool and Chelsea player, Daniel Sturridge thought otherwise.
“I’d have been fuming, not gonna lie. If I’m flicking that in, that’s going bottom bin that is. I’m wheeling away in jubilation maybe. He’s gonna hit the target, so as a player, when you make that connection in the box…it’s an unnatural, natural position. It is close to him, but in a way it’s a 50/50 decision, and it’s gone Chelsea’s way.”
Is VAR not consistent?
Prior to this game, Lewis Dunk conceded a penalty in Brighton & Hove Albion’s 4-1 win over newly-promoted Luton Town. It appeared to be an incredibly harsh handball, with the centre-back not even facing the ball as he dives to block a cross.
Considering that decision was given and the Jackson decision wasn’t, it’s clear to see why supporters are annoyed. They feel it’s a lack of consistency in decision-making by PL referees.
Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool also showcased some of the Premier League’s new guidelines when it comes to dissent.
Both Jackson and Mac Allister were booked for waving an imaginary yellow card after being fouled. Moreover, the game also saw a greater amount of added time in both halves to make-up for time-wasting.
I’m a football enthusiast and an avid writer and someone who lives by the Bill Shankly quote, on a day to day basis.
