Liverpool continued their 100% start to the Premier League season when they beat Newcastle United on Saturday.
Ian Wright has stated that he was left ‘annoyed’ that Liverpool weren’t awarded a penalty during their 3-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday afternoon at Anfield.
Alan Shearer also felt that Jurgen Klopp’s men should have been awarded a spot-kick when Jamaal Lascelles pulled back Joel Matip in the penalty area as he was trying to win a header.
In the game itself, Jetro Willems put Steve Bruce’s side ahead inside seven minutes with a stunning strike, but when Liverpool finally warmed up, a Sadio Mane brace and Mo Salah strike made sure the points were Liverpool’s.
Speaking on Match of the Day on BBC One (14/09/2019 at 11:45 pm), Shearer and Kane were adamant that VAR should have given the home side a penalty.
“Liverpool should have had a penalty,” Shearer told Match of the Day. “Lascelles on Matip. VAR should give a penalty for that. His arms are all over him. He [Matip] has got a clear header, he does pull him back there.”
Wright added: “Why would they look at that and say that’s not a penalty? What do they need to see there? Why doesn’t he [the referee] go across to the thing [the monitor to check the incident]? That’s annoying. I’m annoyed with that.”
VAR has come under scrutiny this season for the manner in which it has been used as it is the first time it is being used in England’s top-flight.
In the end, the decision didn’t impact Liverpool, who picked up three points, whilst their title rivals Manchester City were beaten by Norwich in the later kick-off.
Liverpool have already opened up a five-point lead on second-placed Manchester City, who are closely followed by Tottenham and Manchester United.
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