The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has voted three to two that Liverpool should not have had a penalty given against them in their draw with Nottingham Forest
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, gestures during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on August 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Liverpool were unfortunate to have a penalty awarded against them(Image: Jan Kruger, Getty Images)
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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has determined that Liverpool should not have conceded a penalty during the stalemate with Nottingham Forest. Morgan Gibbs-White scored from the penalty spot against the Reds as the visitors earned a draw at Anfield.
Liverpool were twice forced to come from behind in the game, and it appears maybe they shouldn't have been required to on the second time of asking. Dan Ndoye put the visitors ahead before Alexander Isak levelled matters on the hour mark.
With both teams battling for the win, a swift throw from Liam Delap found former Reds defender Neco Williams, who went through on goal against Alisson with a golden opportunity to score. The goalkeeper closed him down, and while the subsequent effort from the full-back flew wide, he was brought down by the Brazilian shot-stopper, with referee Sam Barrott awarding a spot-kick.
The match official was not directed to the VAR screen for a review, and Morgan Gibbs-White converted the resulting penalty. While Victor Munoz salvaged a point for Liverpool late on, there will be annoyance at the disclosure that the KMI panel felt the penalty ought not to have been awarded.
However, it was a tight decision with three members of the KMI Panel believing it should not have been a penalty, while the other two members believed that Alisson's challenge was worthy of punishment. Nevertheless, it was unanimously agreed that VAR Michael Oliver took the correct action by not directing Barrott to the pitchside monitor, deeming that it failed to reach the threshold for an intervention.
"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.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker fouls Neco Williams
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker fouls Neco Williams(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
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"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 decision that is likely to frustrate Liverpool supporters, given the match was deadlocked when the spot-kick was given, presenting a genuine chance to claim all three points.
Instead, the Reds were forced to battle back and salvage a draw, which they managed admirably, securing an unbeaten opening to the season that has since been reinforced by a straightforward 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
Iraola will undoubtedly be hoping fortune favours his side rather than their opponents going forward, with several significant fixtures on the horizon.
Encounters with Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Tottenham, and Bournemouth all lie ahead before the international break, offering Liverpool an opportunity to put that incident behind them and focus on accumulating more points while advancing in cup competitions.