Norwich City boss Daniel Farke questioned the “moment of magic” from Sadio Mane that sent Liverpool 25 points clear at the Premier League summit.
Mane came off the bench to score the only goal with 12 minutes remaining that earned the Reds a 1-0 win at Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
The goal was allowed after a VAR check with Norwich complaining Mane, in attempting to reach Jordan Henderson's searching pass, had pushed centre-back Christoph Zimmerman before netting.
And while Farke saluted the skill from the Liverpool forward, he believes referee Stuart Attwell should have blown for an infringement.
“I don’t complain because I’ve learned this season so far that VAR never works in our favour,” said the Norwich boss.
“If the referee had given a free-kick for a push on Mane then it wouldn’t have been overturned by VAR.
“He allowed the goal, and for that we thought it wasn’t a clear and obvious mistake. But it was also down to the unbelievable quality of Mane.
“He knows exactly when he has to be there, a little hit on the centre-back to get him off balance, and it was a top-class first touch and a world-class finish.
“But no complaints from my side. We accept this goal.
“The referee allowed the goal, and then VAR can only overrule if it is a clear and obvious mistake.
“You could argue it wasn’t hard enough but there was a push definitely, but you could say it’s not 100% a mistake.
“There was definitely a push. But the referee made a decision and, like I said, no complaints.”
Norwich missed a great chance to open the scoring in the first half when Lukas Rupp was clear on goal with Teemu Pukki in support but Alisson Becker made a fine save to clear the danger.
“The first half we had the situation of two against their goalkeeper, and that must be a goal,” admitted Farke.
“Our chance was much bigger than their goal, but they were able to score.
“That’s the difference in terms of individual quality because it was definitely a moment of magic.
“Because of that one moment of magic from Mane, we lost.”
