Liverpool was recently impacted by an incorrect penalty decision, though it was voted that VAR was right not to intervene in potentially overturning the erroneous call
Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC
Liverpool was impacted by an incorrect penalty decision(Image: (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images))
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has voted that Liverpool should not have had a penalty awarded against the team in the draw with Nottingham Forest.
It followed a call in the clash between the Reds and Forest at the City Ground, which was the second match of the Premier League campaign for Andoni Iraola, as the side went searching for its first win.
Dan Ndoye gave the home side the lead before Alexander Isak equalized on the hour mark, giving Liverpool a chance to push on and try to land all three points. Then came a key moment, as a quick throw from Liam Delap found former Reds defender Neco Williams, who went one-on-one with Alisson, with a huge chance to score.
The goalkeeper closed him down, and while the resulting shot from the full-back went wide, he was taken out by the shot-stopper, and referee Sam Barrott pointed to the spot for a penalty.
The match official was not sent to the VAR screen for another check, and Morgan Gibbs-White slotted home the resulting penalty.
While Victor Munoz rescued a point for Liverpool late on, there will be frustration at the revelation that the KMI panel believed the penalty shouldn't have been given.
After the latest assessment, the KMI Panel voted three to two in favor of no penalty for the challenge made by Alisson. However, it was unanimously voted that VAR Michael Oliver made the right call by not sending Barrott to the pitchside monitor, believing that it didn't meet the threshold for an overturn.
"The contact from Alisson was inevitable as a consequence of his momentum in attempting to save the ball," the KMI Panel said. "The contact made was not reckless and below the threshold for a penalty.
Alisson was judged to have fouled Neco Williams
Alisson was judged to have fouled Neco Williams(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
"However, the non-intervention by the VAR was unanimously supported on the basis that it was not a clear and obvious error."
It's a moment that may well frustrate Liverpool fans, considering the game was level when the penalty was awarded, and that there was a real opportunity to win the match at that point.
Instead, the Reds had to fight back and earn a point, which they did valiantly, ensuring that an unbeaten start to the campaign was made, which has since been backed up by a comfortable 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Iraola will certainly be hoping there is some luck that will swing his team's way, instead of the opposition, moving forward though, with some big matches coming up.
Clashes against Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Tottenham, and Bournemouth all await before the international break, with a chance for Liverpool to forget that incident and move on to picking up more points and progressing in cup competitions.