VAR decisions in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal have prompted a sharp debate over whether the technology is being applied consistently, after Alexander Isak was denied a penalty while Alexis Mac Allister’s reaction to a clash with Noni Madueke was reviewed and rejected.
Kai Havertz’s first-half goal gave Arsenal their first victory at Anfield in 14 years, but the result was overshadowed by two controversial incidents at opposite ends of the VAR debate.
Isak shirt pull goes unpunished
Isak appeared to be held back by Jurrien Timber as he attempted to reach a cross in the first half. The on-field officials took no action and the incident was not overturned by VAR.
Jamie Carragher questioned why the Liverpool striker had been expected to make more of the contact. “One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball – why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR, do your job,” he said.
Ian Wright agreed that Isak should not have needed to fall to the ground to convince the officials. He said the contact was sufficient for a penalty and that he would not have complained had one been awarded.
Daniel Sturridge said Isak’s failure to go down may have influenced the decision, but insisted the forward should not have been required to exaggerate the incident. “Everyone can see that his arm is stretched, he [Timber] is holding him with a stretched-out arm,” he said.
Gary Neville described Isak’s reaction as unusual, arguing that players normally protest when they are pulled back in front of goal.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola called it “a clear penalty” and said he would tell Isak to go to ground in a similar situation in future. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he had seen comparable incidents given as penalties, adding that there were enough cameras for VAR to identify the contact without the player needing to complain.
There was also an appeal for a second Liverpool penalty after Christos Tzolis appeared to have his hands on Cody Gakpo’s hips as the forward went down. Neither the referee nor VAR intervened, while Neville said there was “not enough in it”.
VAR decision favours Madueke after Mac Allister clash
Late in the match, Mac Allister confronted Madueke after fouling Martin Odegaard and slapping the Arsenal captain on the back of the head as he walked away.
The players’ foreheads then made contact. Mac Allister went to ground holding his face, but a VAR review concluded that Madueke had not committed a sending-off offence. Mac Allister was booked instead.
Carragher welcomed the decision, saying Madueke had not deliberately butted his opponent. He criticised Mac Allister’s reaction as an attempt to gain an advantage and called for players to be held accountable when they go down too easily.
Neville similarly described Mac Allister’s response as “embarrassing”, while Wright said the decision reflected “common sense” because Madueke had not driven his head into the Liverpool midfielder.
Sturridge said the contact was a coming together in which both players were involved, suggesting Madueke had been drawn into a confrontation but had not responded with force. The contrasting incidents left the pundits arguing that VAR had missed a clear shirt pull but reached the right conclusion over the disputed head-to-head clash.
