Cody Gakpo’s penalty claim at Ipswich was checked by VAR, but no retrospective action was taken despite the consensus that a foul had taken place.
Less than a week after Alisson was penalised for fouling a player in the box after they were no longer in possession, Gakpo was similarly taken out by Ipswich’s Abdul Fatawu.
Referee Darren England did not blow his whistle and instead allowed play to go on, with VAR conducting a check in the background amid uncertainty over whether the contact was in the penalty area.
England was not instructed to stop the game or consult the monitor, with supporters instead left frustrated over the lack of consistency.
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher clarified the procedural reason why VAR did not intervene, despite agreeing Gakpo was fouled.
“I think it’s outside the penalty area so they can’t give a penalty,” Gallagher explained. “The referee didn’t give a free-kick so the game goes on.”
Former striker Jay Bothroyd argued it was a clear foul, saying, “It’s a penalty all day…It’s definitely a free-kick. It [looks in the box] to me, that’s why I’m saying it’s a penalty.”
READ NEXT
Atletico Madrid winger to miss Liverpool trip due to 2024 ban
Gallagher, however, reiterated that the problem pertained to the location of the incident and England not initially awarding a foul.
“That’s the problem, location,” he added. “So the referee doesn’t give a foul, so because he doesn’t give a foul, the VAR can’t give a penalty because he thinks it’s outside the box.
“The game wasn’t stopped, so they look and they came to the conclusion, like me, [that it’s outside the box].”
In simple terms, VAR did check both the foul and the location, but once they determined the contact was outside the box, it meant no penalty was given, and it is not within their remit to award a free-kick.
If they had deemed the contact took place in the box or on the line – as it looked on the cameras – then VAR could have instructed the referee to pause the game and take a second look.
It will not be the conclusion the majority of Liverpool supporters reached, with the contact appearing to be at least on the line, and these ‘technicalities’ will only further the need for transparency.
This Is Anfield Premium on desktop and mobile
This Is Anfield Premium on desktop and mobile
Valencia, Spain. 6th Sep, 2026. Harvey Elliott (Valencia) Football/Soccer : Spanish “LaLiga EA Sports” match between Valencia CF – FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain . Credit: Mutsu Kawamori/AFLO/Alamy Live News
Valencia, Spain. 6th Sep, 2026. Harvey Elliott (Valencia) Football/Soccer : Spanish “LaLiga EA Sports” match between Valencia CF – FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain . Credit: Mutsu Kawamori/AFLO/Alamy Live News
Football – UEFA Champions League – League Phase – Liverpool FC v Atletico Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone speaks with the fourth official during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Kheating, Taylor, Endemann – LFC Women collage
Kheating, Taylor, Endemann - LFC Women collage