Dominik Szoboszlai firing a shot at the arm of Aurelian Tchouameni at Anfield
Liverpool's penalty was incorrectly overturned, according to Mark Clattenburg
Ex-Champions League referee Mark Clattenburg believes Liverpool's penalty against Real Madrid was wrongly overruled. The first half saw plenty of action but few chances as the champions and the Spanish heavyweights inflicted several blows, but could not find the net.
However, Arne Slot's side appeared to be handed the perfect opportunity to take the lead. Dominik Szoboszlai fired a 25-yard effort which struck the arm of Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Initially, referee Istvan Kovacs' gave a free-kick just outside the box, but the anticipation began to build when his hand went to his ear, before he decided to go to the pitch-side monitor. It was presumed he was going to see if the handball took place inside the penalty area, which would have given the Merseysiders a chance to take the lead from the spot.
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However, he U-turned on his original decision of a handball, silencing a shocked Anfield immediately. Clattenburg, who is a referee analyst for Amazon Prime's coverage, was also left aghast by the decision, saying he believes a mistake was made.
When the referee was walking over to the screen, the ex-referee said: "It's great when get a second chance to see it. I think the referee, from his angle, thinks it's outside, but from this angle from the side on, which is what the assistant referee has, it looks like the arm is inside the penalty area when the ball hits.
"When that happens, the VAR will recommend a review. I think the referee might change his mind here."
After the decision was overturned, a surprised Clattenburg said: "What the VAR has done, in his opinion, because the referee has given a handball - and I think it's a handball by the way - I agree with the referee's initial decision of handball.
"Once it's handball, the handball is inside the penalty area. What the referee is now saying is that it's not a handball. He doesn't believe the defender made his body bigger."
UEFA also released a statement of their own offering their explanation on the decision. They wrote: "The ball touched the left arm of Real Madrid's player No14, which was close to the body in a natural position."
Slot was furious with the decision ( Image: Getty Images)
came closest to taking the lead in the first half. As well as the penalty shout, Szoboszlai also forced Thibaut Courtois into two great saves.
The Hungarian struck a venomous 25-yard effort which the Belgian got a hand to, before the ex-Chelsea shot-stopper made a point blank save from the Reds midfielder after he tried to lift Florian Wirtz's pass over the top of him.
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