Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the closing stages of their draw with Newcastle United last month to earn a point
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool's penalty in their draw with Newcastle last month(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Liverpool have been told by Pro Ref chief Howard Webb why the correct decision was made to award them a penalty in their Premier League opener against Newcastle United. The Reds managed to salvage a point in a 2-2 stalemate at St James’ Park on the first day of the campaign last month, thanks to a last-minute spot-kick.
Newcastle opened the scoring that day thanks to a goal from Anthony Elanga, only for Liverpool to equalise through Cody Gakpo in the second half.
The Magpies took the lead again with a goal from Joe Willock, before Dominik Szoboszlai equalised for Liverpool with one of the final kicks of the game from the penalty spot.
Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz, with referee Stuart Attwell pointing to the spot, with the decision subsequently checked and cleared by VAR.
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James Bell was on VAR duty for the match on August 23, with the audio from the day being released on the latest episode of Mic’d Up.
“It’s knee-on-knee contact. He looks to take the ball past him, steps into his leg, he doesn’t play the ball," the VAR audio said.
“It’s as he said, so I’m confirming the penalty.”
VAR later added: “It’s knee-into-thigh contact, so we’re confirming the on-field decision of penalty.”
Webb has appeared on the latest instalment of Mic’d Up alongside former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, and explained why he is in agreement with the decision to give the Reds a penalty.
“Yeah, I think it's a really good call late in this game. Former teams of yours, of course, Michael. And it demonstrates some real focus by the officials late in that game, the very last minute of added time.
“They've worked together well as a team. You'll hear the assistant referee talk about how Hall hasn't played the ball, and that's really important because Munoz is in possession of the ball and knocks it past Hall.
“Hall doesn't wipe him out, but he puts a foot in, and it's what creates the contact that, in the end, brings Muñoz down.
“So, a good and important decision right at the end of this game.”
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Webb went on to explain why he understood the views of some who believed that a penalty was not the correct decision.
The Pro Ref chief said: “I think it's a penalty, but I can see why you'd ask the question because Hall doesn't wipe him out, does he?
“There's contact when Hall goes in. But we're using a light touch with VAR. We're using a high bar for intervention.
“And if the referee says, ‘I've seen it, but for me it's contact that's not impactful enough,’ we'd probably leave this one alone, not interfere with this situation, let the referee's call stand. And that can happen.
“You can prefer a penalty kick as the outcome but not feel it's quite at the level of being clearly and obviously wrong, which is what VAR is there for. So overall, a good outcome, though.”