Premier League release ‘pathetic’ VAR statement after Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United

There was more VAR controversy in Manchester United’s latest game against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United earned a deserved point away from home against Liverpool as they drew 2-2 against the Premier League leaders.

Ruben Amorim’s side produced a solid first half performance before taking the lead through a bullet-strike from Lisandro Martínez.

Liverpool quickly replied though, with Cody Gakpo shooting into the top corner after Matthijs de Ligt failed to defend his fellow Dutchman on the right side.

The hosts would then get a controversial penalty after VAR intervention. De Ligt had handled the ball but there were strong arguments that Alexis Mac Allister’s header was far too close to the defender for him to react.

However, Michael Oliver was sent to the VAR screen and changed his on-field decision, with Mo Salah scoring the resulting penalty to put Liverpool into the lead.

Amad Diallo managed to score an equaliser for United after a great move on the left side, and United were the ones who came closest to a winner, with Harry Maguire’s last-gasp effort going over the bar.

Premier League release VAR statement for Liverpool penalty vs United

As with most of the high profile VAR decisions, the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X attempted to provide further context to why De Ligt was punished for the penalty.

They wrote: “VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible handball by de Ligt, deeming that his arm was raised in an unnatural position.

“Upon review, the referee overturned his original call of no penalty.”

It is extremely strange that there was no consideration of the ball being played from close proximity and many fans were unhappy with both the decision and explanation.

“Pathetic decision from you lot as usual, headed onto his arm from a yard away,” one supporter wrote.

Another posted: “Unnatural position… these officials haven’t played the game in their lives.”

Five-man Premier League panel contradict United decision

Many United fans will remember when they were told last season that Cristian Romero’s clear handball against them was not a penalty due to the close proximity of Alejandro Garnacho’s strike.

In fact, Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents panel analysed that penalty call afterwards, which was also officiated by Michael Oliver, and backed the on-field decision for no penalty.

The five-man panel all agreed on the call, saying: “The ball was struck from close proximity, his right leg is up to block and therefore the arm is in an expected position.”

De Ligt was much closer to the ball at Anfield and don’t forget that the on-field decision was no penalty, meaning there must be a ‘clear and obvious error’ which usually makes things so difficult to overturn.

Read More: Player Ratings: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United (Premier League)

It constantly feels like the referees have no idea what they are doing, and that is made even worse when it is a handball decision. No one on this planet knows what a handball is in the Premier League anymore.

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