BBC Sport pundit Ian Wright was fuming with VAR last night as he slammed the decision not to award Joel Matip a penalty kick after he was blatantly fouled by Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles as a corner kick was swung into the area.
If you haven’t yet seen the incident, take a look at it by clicking here – it was as clear and as obvious as you like.
Andre Marriner, the on-field referee, should have been able to spot it, but for the VAR, with a replay, there is really no excuse.
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Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace forward Wright was not happy when talking about the incident after the game.
Speaking on Match of the Day, via the Daily Express, he fumed: “Why would they not look at that and say that’s a penalty, man? What do you need to see there?
“Why don’t they go across to the [TV screen and have a look at it]? It’s right there! It’s annoying. I’m annoyed with that.”
Referees in the Premier League are encouraged not to waste time running across to look at incidents themselves, but Wright is generally spot on – the wait for a spot kick to be awarded in front of the Kop goes on.
Fortunately, the Reds were not made to pay for the official’s lack of a decision. On another day, that could have proven to be very costly; instead Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino stepped up to the plate and saved Marriner’s blushes.