Rio Ferdinand said that Donny van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make when he clumsily brought Luis Diaz down in the box during Liverpool's win against Girona.
The Reds maintained their 100 per cent record in the Champions League courtesy of Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty, which was converted after the referee was sent to a review an incident on the pitch-side monitor by the video assistant referee.
Former Manchester United star Van de Beek trod on the back of Diaz's foot, forcing the Colombian's boot to come off, and that factor was perhaps decisive in the official's decision to point to the spot.
Ferdinand was not of the opinion that the incident was worthy of a penalty being awarded but said that Van de Beek's eagerness to win the ball was his downfall.
"Only criticism is maybe he was a bit overzealous in trying to get to the ball," Ferdinand said. "He didn't even get to the ball in the end. Didn't touch it.
"But I just think there's no real intention or intent to step on his ankle and take is boot off. Clumsy is probably the best word. He's given the referee an opportunity or VAR to get involved."
Steve McManaman, who was on punditry duty for TNT Sports alongside Ferdinand, shared the former Manchester United defender's view that it shouldn't have been a penalty.
"I thought it was no penalty," McManaman said. "He stands on his heel, but no one appeals. As they do in Europe, VAR start getting involved. It was a scruffy decision. I would be distraught.
"You expect the midfielders to close down, it is very unfortunate. It is a contact game and you see more at corners so I don’t think it was a penalty."
Once the penalty was awarded, Ferdinand knew exactly where the ball would end up. "There was no doubt he’d score," Ferdinand said of Salah.