Jamie Carragher was left furious after VAR failed to award Liverpool a penalty during their Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday. The former Reds defender believed Jurrien Timber should have been punished for an apparent tug on Alexander Isak's shirt as the striker attempted to head the hosts level.
Bradley Barcola delivered a teasing cross that just eluded the Sweden international, but replays showed the Dutch defender had grabbed his shirt. Liverpool fell behind within 20 minutes after Kai Havertz converted from close range, capitalising on careless distribution from the Reds' defensive line.
Carragher's frustration
Following the setback, Andoni Iraola's team rallied, mounting pressure on the Premier League champions. Still, the interval discussion centred on how referee Andy Madley failed to award Liverpool a spot-kick and offer them an opportunity to restore parity.
Carragher said: "One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball - why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR do your job."
The former defender was responding to Daniel Sturridge, who believed Liverpool would have secured a more compelling case for a penalty had the Swede exaggerated the contact. He said: "If he [Isak] makes more of it, it's a penalty. I don't think he makes enough of it... It's clear and blatant."
Mixed reactions from pundits
After the break, Gary Neville felt Isak's reaction was "odd". He said: "The guys at half-time said Isak should not have to make more of it [his penalty shout in the first half]. It's actually unnatural not to make more of it. When you get pulled and you're just about to score, you ordinarily complain like crazy. It's a very odd reaction from Isak."
Ian Wright was amongst those representing Arsenal as part of Sky Sports' coverage, yet the former Gunners icon couldn't overlook the fact that the North London outfit escaped a crucial moment unscathed. He said: "He shouldn't have to make more of it. We can see it. As an Arsenal man, I'm glad we got away with it. Unless I'm pulled back, I'm going to head it as much as I can. When he pulled him, it was just about enough as he would need to go down."
Title race implications
Following Brighton and Hove Albion's revenge over Manchester City for their Carabao Cup elimination during the week, the Seagulls dealt a blow to Enzo Maresca's side's Premier League title aspirations with a 1-0 victory.
Victory for Arsenal would extend their advantage in the title race to three points after City endured consecutive top-flight defeats, including a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa the previous week. Liverpool were keen to secure a momentum-building victory off the back of an impressive run under Andoni Iraola. Chelsea's triumph against Manchester United had nudged Xabi Alonso's side into the top four at the Reds' expense.
