The Premier League has explained why Liverpool’s penalty was awarded following a VAR check in the Reds’ Premier League game against Manchester United.
A handball by Matthijs de Ligt was missed by referee Michael Oliver in real-time. However, a penalty was awarded after Oliver got another look at the incident, with Mo Salah firing Liverpool in front.
“VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible handball by de Ligt, deeming that his arm was raised in an unnatural position,” a post from the Premier League Match Centre social media account read. “Upon review, the referee overturned his original call of no penalty.”
The game was all-square at the time of the penalty award. Lisandro Martinez had fired visitors United into the lead early in the second half, only for Cody Gakpo to quickly bring Liverpool level, and United’s Amad restored parity a few minutes after Salah’s penalty looked like it might settle the tie.
“I don’t know why his hand is there,” former United captain Gary Neville said of De Ligt during Sky Sports’ coverage. “He is not going to get away with it.”
Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin delivered a similar assessment on BBC Radio 5 Live. “I would give that as a penalty every day of the week,” he said. “Matthijs de Ligt’s hand was so high, right above his head.”
It wasn’t the first time this season that De Ligt has found himself at the centre of a penalty incident. He was penalised for a foul on West Ham’s Danny Ings at the London Stadium in October, leading to a 2-1 defeat which ultimately proved to be the last under United’s then-manager Erik ten Hag.
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Liverpool’s penalty came after three spot-kicks were awarded in the Premier League’s early game on Sunday. All three came in the second half of Fulham’s match against Ipswich, with two converted by Raul Jimenez for the London side.
The first of those awards was missed by the on-field ref before being picked up following a VAR check. Fulham’s Harry Wilson went down under contact from opponent Sam Morsy, with Jimenez stepping up to convert from the spot.
“VAR recommended an on-field review for the challenge by Morsy on Wilson, deeming that contact was sufficient for a penalty and occurred inside the area,” the Premier League Match Centre account wrote. “Upon review, the referee overturned his original call of no penalty.”
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