Andoni Iraola looking on while Milos Kerkez pictured fouling Dario Osorio
Andoni Iraola looking on while Milos Kerkez pictured fouling Dario Osorio
That is the opinion of former head of PGMOL and FIFA referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Andoni Iraola's side looked on course for a 3-0 win following goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
All that was left for the Reds was to secure the clean sheet, but referee Tony Harrington put a dent in those plans by awarding a late penalty.
Defender Milos Kerkez was involved in a clash of heads with Palace winger Dario Osorio.
With it deemed it was the Hungarian who infringed on the Chilean, fouling him for a penalty.
Keith Hackett backs Iraola as ex-referee delivers verdict on controversial Liverpool penalty
Liverpool fans were less than happy with the penalty being awarded, and manager Iraola was left frustrated as well.
Speaking after the game, the Spaniard admitted he was "really upset" over the incident being given.
And the Liverpool manager appears to be in the right boat, with Hackett agreeing with him that the penalty was wrongly awarded, as he reacted to calls that it was Osorio who led the challenge.
Hacket said: "That's exactly how I saw it, to be honest. You can't discount the fact that both were jumping.
"And I thought the Palace player was leading that assault on the opponent, and the referee got it wrong.
"I think what we're looking for as fans and as ex-referees and everybody connected with the game is an accurate interpretation of those types of challenges so that the outcome is the right decision."
Referees called on to double-check incidents.
Beyond questioning the original decision, Hackett also felt VAR missed an opportunity to ensure the correct call was made.
Hackett shared that this scenario should have been double-checked, sharing: "I would have liked VAR to have come in and say, just a minute, I'd like you to have a second look.
"Now, if that referee has a second look and stays with the original decision, I don't have an issue with that. But obviously, under the VAR criteria, they're looking at a clear and obvious error."
In the end, VAR did not get involved, and the penalty decision stood, with the referee getting no second look at what had occurred.
Luckily, on this occasion, the outcome of the match was not altered, with Liverpool still picking up the win.