Premier League release statement as Liverpool denied second penalty vs Chelsea

Robert Sanchez was first judged to have fouled Liverpool star Curtis Jones but an intervention from VAR at Anfield ensured that the Chelsea goalkeeper was spared as the penalty was overturned

The Premier League have revealed that VAR judged that Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez won the ball against Curtis Jones, as Liverpool saw a penalty overturned.

The Reds were first awarded a second penalty of the afternoon when Jones was bundled to the floor in a challenge with the Blues’ shotstopper. Mo Salah was preparing to add to his tally via a second spotkick before John Brooks was recommended to reconsider his decision by video assistant referee Michael Oliver.

Former Brighton goalkeeper Sanchez was first shown a yellow card for his challenge on Liverpool’s midfielder. In the end, he was left to take on a dropball when the decision was overturned.

Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee awarded a penalty to Liverpool for a foul by Sanchez on Jones. The VAR deemed that Sanchez won the ball and no foul was committed and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”

Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher was not convinced that Sanchez’s touch on the ball was enough to warrant altering the initial decision. The Sky Sports pundits believes that Arne Slot’s team should have been awarded another opportunity from 12 yards after Salah capitalised on Levi Colwill’s earlier foul.

Carragher said: “I think Chelsea are fortunate because the referee gave it on the pitch. I think it’s one you can look at and it goes either way. There’s definitely an angle where it looks like it’s not a penalty. But there’s another angle

“I don’t think the goalkeeper gets enough of the ball. The days are well gone, almost 10 years ago, if you got a touch on the ball it was enough. Getting a touch of the ball and taking the player out is not enough in the modern game. I think Chelsea were fortunate.”

VAR was further forced to intervene in the game when Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson found the net early during the second period. The Senegal striker was flagged offside to his surprise, after a cool finish, but that decision was quickly overturned when it was revealed Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate played him onside with a trailing leg.

The Match Centre once again explained the onfield process: “Jackson’s goal was disallowed for offside on-field. The VAR checked and confirmed that Jackson was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.