Jamie Carragher was left fuming at VAR after Liverpool had a strong penalty shout turned down against Arsenal
Carragher and Neville gave contrasting verdicts
Carragher and Neville gave contrasting verdicts(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was left incensed that the video assistant referee overlooked a penalty appeal against Arsenal. Jurrien Timber escaped punishment for what appeared to be a shirt pull on Reds striker Alexander Isak as he attempted to head the hosts level.
Bradley Barcola whipped in a dangerous cross which narrowly eluded the Sweden international, though replays revealed the Dutch defender had tugged his shirt. Liverpool went behind inside 20 minutes after Kai Havertz converted from close range with the visitors capitalising on careless play from the back by the Reds defence.
Nevertheless, after conceding, Andoni Iraola's team rallied strongly, applying pressure on the Premier League champions. Yet, the interval discussion centred on how Andy Madley failed to award Liverpool a spot-kick and provide them with an opportunity to draw level.
Carragher said: "One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball - why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR do your job."
The former stopper was responding to Daniel Sturridge who believed that Liverpool would have secured a more compelling case for a penalty had the Swede made greater fuss about the pull. He said: "If he [Isak] makes more of it, it's a penalty. I don't think he makes enough of it... It's clear and blatant.
After the break, Gary Neville considered Isak's reaction to be "odd".
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He said: "The guys at half-time said Isak should not have to make more of it [his penalty shout in the first half]."
"It's actually unnatural not to make more of it. When you get pulled and you're just about to score, you ordinarily complain like crazy. It's a very odd reaction from Isak."
Alexander Isak of Liverpool
Alexander Isak was denied a penalty against Arsenal(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Ian Wright was amongst those representing Arsenal as part of Sky Sports' punditry team. Yet the former Gunners icon couldn't overlook the fact that the North London club had escaped a pivotal moment unscathed.
He said: "He shouldn't have to make more of it. We can see it. As an Arsenal man, I'm glad we got away with it.
"Unless I'm pulled back, I'm going to head it as much as I can. When he pulled him, it was just about enough as he would need to go down."
Following Brighton and Hove Albion's revenge over Manchester City for their Carabao Cup elimination during the week, the Seagulls dealt a significant blow to Enzo Maresca's side's Premier League title aspirations with a 1-0 victory.
Victory for Arsenal would stretch their advantage in the title race to three points, with City having now suffered consecutive top-flight defeats following their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa the previous week. Liverpool were targeting a victory to maintain their momentum following an impressive run of form under Andoni Iraola.
Chelsea's triumph over Manchester United had nudged Xabi Alonso's side into the top four at the Reds' expense.