Premier League Explains VAR Decisions on Arsenal's Goal and Liverpool's No-Penalty Call
VAR Controversy: Why Arsenal's Goal Stood and Liverpool Avoided a Penalty at the Emirates
There were many important occurrences in the intense match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates, with VAR intervening to make important judgments. The Premier League has officially explained why Ibrahima Konate’s tackle on Gabriel Martinelli prevented Liverpool from giving up a penalty and why Mikel Merino’s goal for Arsenal was allowed.
Bukayo Saka dribbled Andy Robertson to give Arsenal the lead early on and positioned his team for winning. Liverpool, however, equalised within nine minutes. With a header, Virgil van Dijk gave the Reds an equalizer and helped them get back into the match.
Arsenal, however, persisted in their attack and eventually took the lead again. Declan Rice’s brilliantly placed free kick in the 43rd minute was followed by a header from Mikel Merino into the net. Just before halftime, this score gave Arsenal yet another boost of energy.
VAR took a while in assessing Merino’s goal because of potential offside issues. The Premier League Match Centre later provided an explanation for the decision, saying, “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there were no attackers in an offside position.” The fans waited for the final call.
#ARSLIV – 44’
The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there were no attackers in an offside position. pic.twitter.com/Fzc8B6v6OJ
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) October 27, 2024
The goal was permitted to stand since Merino was onside and no Arsenal players were obstructing Liverpool’s defenders.
After Ibrahima Konate seemed to pull down Gabriel Martinelli earlier in the game, Arsenal fans believed they should have been given a penalty. But after watching the video, VAR confirmed the referee’s decision that it wasn’t a foul.
“The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR – deeming that Konate won the ball,” the Premier League Match Centre explained. To put it another way, the referee’s decision stood because Konate made a fair tackle and reached the ball first.
