REUTERS/Phil Noble
Former Premier League referee Graham Barber has told GIVEMESPORT that VAR got it wrong with a major decision during the big Liverpool vs Arsenal clash in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal took all three points away from Anfield for the first time in 14 years thanks to a Kai Havertz winner in the first half, but things could have been very different if Liverpool had been awarded a penalty.
On 21 minutes, Bradley Barcola delivered a ball into the Arsenal box, aimed for Isak, who rose to head it home, but missed it in the air.
Replays showed that Jurrien Timber had hold of the Swedish striker's shirt, pulling him back, which could have impacted his ability to meet the cross.
Referee Andy Madley did not spot the incident and VAR checked it and decided that there was no foul and that play should continue.
In the Sky Sports studio, Jamie Carrgaher, Daniel Sturridge all agreed that a mistake was made.
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 - Carragher on Sky Sports
And now, speaking exclusively to GMS, former top flight referee Barber agreed with the panel.
He said: "It's a really strange one because first of all we've seen a couple this weekend where people haven't appealed for penalties, which doesn't seem to be the norm these days and also the other thing that's really interesting in the game is shirt pulling in general, because nobody seems to know whether it's a shirt pull or not. In my day, if you pulled a shirt, it was a yellow card, so it was quite simple.
"Look, I thought it was a penalty and I was very surprised that Isak didn't make anything of it, because in my opinion, the shirt pull probably stopped him reaching the ball to head it.
Did it happen before or after?
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"You know I've always been an advocate of referees making decisions on the field of play, but when it's wrong, that's what VAR is for in my opinion and and I think Jamie's right, I think Ian Wright's correct in what he says in that players shouldn't have to make a meal of everything in order to get a decision.
"It was a clear shirt pull, and I would be amazed if the referee saw that on the field of play and didn't give a penalty and, equally, I'm not really sure why VAR didn't think that was a shirt pulling offence and why they didn't give a penalty."
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Liverpool vs Arsenal