In a stunning post-match analysis that's set to reignite the VAR debate, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has declared Liverpool should have been awarded a clear penalty during their 4-1 victory over Brentford.
The Controversial Incident
The flashpoint occurred when Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo went down under a challenge from Brentford's Nathan Collins during the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium. Despite replays showing clear contact, referee Simon Hooper waved away Liverpool's appeals, with VAR Michael Salisbury opting not to intervene.
Clattenburg, writing in his Daily Mail column, didn't mince his words: "This was a stonewall penalty. The VAR's decision not to send Hooper to the monitor was baffling."
Expert Breakdown
The former FIFA official provided a detailed technical analysis of why the decision was incorrect:
- Collins made clear contact with Gakpo's foot before touching the ball
- The challenge occurred inside the penalty area with sufficient force to warrant a foul
- VAR protocol requires intervention for clear and obvious errors - which this represented
"When you see the replay, there's no debate," Clattenburg insisted. "Collins catches Gakpo's foot first. It's a foul anywhere else on the pitch, so why not in the penalty area?"
Broader Implications
This incident adds to growing concerns about consistency in Premier League officiating. Despite emerging with three points, Liverpool find themselves at the centre of yet another VAR controversy this season.
Clattenburg's verdict carries significant weight given his experience and current role as a television analyst. His public criticism of both the on-field decision and VAR process highlights what many fans and pundits have been arguing - the technology isn't solving controversies, it's creating new ones.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) now faces fresh scrutiny over their implementation of VAR and the consistency of decision-making across Premier League matches.
