Gary Neville has revealed that the VAR told John Brooks that Robert Sanchez won the ball after a foul was given on Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones. The England midfielder ran forward one-on-one with the goalkeeper but was clattered by the shot-stopper.
The referee awarded a penalty but following the intervention from Michael Oliver, the decision was overturned. Liverpool had already taken the lead from 12 yards after Mohamed Salah converted from the spot earlier in the first-half.
Arne Slot’s side had a number of penalty appeals, with the Egyptian going down under the challenge from Levi Colwill seconds earlier, before the Chelsea defender hacked down Jones.
Brooks had to rescind his yellow card for the former Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper but during the uncertainty, Neville revealed what happened with the discussions between Stockley Park and Anfield.
“It’s so messy, Maresca has his arms out wide,” said the former United defender. “It’s a really strange action from Sanchez, there’s a little bit of something there and I think that might bring VAR in. It’s fortunate, Maresca is going to get away with it…
“Well, what the VAR has said (is), ‘Sanchez’s contact kicks it against Jones and Jones’ left leg kicks the ball forward.’ And he’s right. That’s the angle that brought it home that here was contact with the ball. It’s still really clumsy work from Sanchez though, so unorthodox the way he commits towards the ball and towards Curtis Jones.”
Jamie Carragher felt the Chelsea shot-stopper was fortunate, he argued: “Chelsea are fortunate because the referee gave the penalty on the pitch. I think it’s one that goes either way, there’s definitely an angle where it’s not a penalty. This (angle facing Jones’ back) is one where you can see it getting overturned, it looks like a block tackle and Jones goes flying over.
“This angle (side) I don’t think the goalkeeper gets enough of the ball. The days are well gone, 10 years ago, if you got a touch (to not be a foul). Getting a touch then completely taking someone out is not enough in the modern game. I think Chelsea are fortunate.”