Liverpool was controversially denied a penalty against Ipswich after Cody Gakpo was tackled in the box, with Sky Sports pundit Jay Bothroyd demanding new VAR footage to review the decision
Jay Bothroyd debated the incident on Sky Sports
Jay Bothroyd debated the incident on Sky Sports(Image: Sky Sports)
Former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd expressed bewilderment at the decision to deny Liverpool a penalty during the team's clash with Ipswich.
Cody Gakpo was seemingly fouled by Abdul Fatawu as the Ipswich forward slid in while the Reds mounted an attack. Despite the Dutchman being left sprawled on the floor, referee Darren England waved play on with no involvement from the video assistant.
The episode occurred less than a week following Liverpool's controversial punishment when Alisson Becker became entangled with Neco Williams after the Nottingham Forest player had shot wide. It ultimately proved straightforward after Alexander Isak's first-half double secured Andoni Iraola's maiden victory since taking over from Arne Slot.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believed that the contact from the tackle occurred outside the penalty area, explaining why the officials at Stockley Park declined to intervene.
He stated: "I think it's outside the area, so they can't give a penalty. The referee didn't give a free-kick, so the game goes on.
"I think it's a foul. That's the problem, location. The referee doesn't give a foul, the VAR can't give a penalty because he thinks it's outside the box.
Cody Gakpo was brought down, but Liverpool was not awarded a free-kick or a penalty
Cody Gakpo was brought down, but Liverpool was not awarded a free-kick or a penalty(Image: Sky Sports)
"The game is in play, they (VAR) looked, and came to the conclusion like me."
However, Bothroyd remained unconvinced, believing Liverpool ought to have been awarded a penalty given the series of incidents from last season, including a challenge by Tottenham star Micky Van de Ven on Isak, which resulted in Isak suffering a broken leg.
The television camera angle did not offer definitive proof as to whether the challenge occurred inside or outside the penalty area.
He said: "It's a penalty all day.
"[Does it look in the box?] It does to me. It's definitely not in the box, can you see?
"It does to me, that's why it's a penalty.
"The one we seen last year... Isak, where he broke his leg.
"Them kind of challenges are penalties all day long, fouls all day long."