Ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean has offered insights into why VAR did not overturn Liverpool’s contentious penalty in their 4-2 victory over Newcastle.
Despite the Reds dominating the Monday night match at Anfield, their 3-2 lead was challenged when Sven Botman scored following Alexander Isak’s earlier goal.
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Liverpool had the opportunity to secure the win as Diogo Jota found himself clean through on goal. However, the Portuguese forward seemed to go down with minimal contact from Martin Dubravka.
Mike Dean has now clarified why VAR chose not to intervene in the penalty decision, despite criticism from fans accusing Jota of ‘diving’.
The 55-year-old veteran, now a refereeing expert on Sky Sports, described the penalty as ‘soft,’ but emphasized that once there is contact, it becomes challenging to overturn the decision.
Former Arsenal forward and pundit Ian Wright raised questions about Jota on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all,’ Wright wrote.
His remark elicited a reaction from Shearer, who, as the ex-Newcastle striker, branded the forward as ‘extremely embarrassing.’
Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, chimed in, expressing his bewilderment at why a forward would choose to go down when faced with an open net.
‘He doesn’t need to go down. Just carry on,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
‘There’s the slightest touch but it doesn’t knock him off. It’s there just to be put in with your left foot.
‘He’s gone down far too easily. Is there contact? I don’t think there’s much contact really.’
Following the incident, Mo Salah successfully converted the ensuing penalty to secure his second goal of the match.
The Egyptian star had previously missed a penalty in the first half. In addition to Salah’s contributions, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo also found the net for the hosts in their 4-2 triumph over Newcastle.
This win allowed Liverpool to extend their lead at the top of the table to three points.
