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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
David Byrom

Liverpool fans make the same point after controversial Midtjylland VAR decisions

Liverpool fans questioned why they were not shown VAR's workings out after Midtjylland were awarded a penalty in the Champions League clash between the two sides.

The Reds were leading 1-0 and had managed to keep their Danish hosts at arm's lengths in the first half but a youthful defence struggled to fully contain them in the second half.

It led to Caoimhin Kelleher conceding a penalty for a foul on Anders Dreyer, despite the linesman flagging for an offside.

A VAR check subsequently saw the penalty given, prompting some Reds fans to compare the issue to when Jordan Pickford's tackle on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby went unpunished due to an offside call.

A replay 10 minutes later subsequently shows that Dreyer was actually onside - and, whilst Reds fans were accepting of the penalty, they questioned why it took so long to see the replay.

Kelleher was booked for the foul and, despite giving the right way for the spot-kick, was unable to save Alexander Scholz's shot.

Scholz thought he had scored again minutes later after a goal-mouth scramble, only for this goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy check.

Yet there was more VAR controversy as the game entered stoppage time when Takumi Minamino bundled home a winner following a knock-down from Sadio Mane.

Minamino's joy was shortlived after he was flagged offside - although replays showed he was onside.

Despite this, the goal still was not given due to a perceived handball from Mane, even though replays appeared to be inconclusive about whether it was the Liverpool attacker or a Midtjylland defender who handled it.

The decision prompted criticism from former Premier League referee Peter Walton.

"You have to respect the VAR's decision," he said.

"I've looked at this time and time again but I think the arm involved is from a Midtjylland player, not Mane."

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