Controversy Erupts as Liverpool Denied Clear Penalty in Clash Against RB Leipzig
Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman express disbelief over the referee and VAR’s failure to award a clear penalty after Willi Orban’s tackle on Darwin Nunez during Liverpool’s match against RB Leipzig.
After what appeared to be an obvious penalty was not given during Liverpool’s match against RB Leipzig, both fans and commentators were left feeling disappointed. Willi Orban’s penalty-area foul on Darwin Nunez was the controversial incident. Nunez was running with the ball when Orban tackled him; he was the one who scored the first goal minutes earlier, but referee Sandro Scharer refused to award a foul.
Expecting a penalty, Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister immediately appealed to the referee. Scharer, however, waved his hand and turned away, dismissing their appeal. As the match progressed up the field, Dominik Szoboszlai also made an effort to persuade the ref, but Scharer was adamant about his decision. A VAR review was quickly completed to further complicate matters, but it produced no changes, and the game soon resumed.
Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman expressed their shock at the decision at halftime. After watching the replays, Ferdinand said, “This is definitely a penalty. I don’t understand how VAR could have looked at this and said ‘no’. When you see it in slow motion, there’s clear contact, and yet VAR didn’t change the decision—it’s unbelievable.
"I don't know how VAR have looked at this and said 'play on!'"
Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman were shocked that Liverpool weren't given a first-half penalty 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/UoEugqrPSA
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 23, 2024
McManaman agreed, saying, “Of course, it was a penalty. Darwin Nunez worked hard to create that chance, chasing what looked like a lost cause. He earned that penalty through his effort, and it should have been awarded.”
Nunez, who started the match as Liverpool’s striker in place of the injured Diogo Jota, scored the opening goal after tapping in a cross from Mohamed Salah. He remained on the pitch until Curtis Jones replaced him during the final 15 minutes of the game. Trent Alexander-Arnold also came off, with coach Arne Slot likely planning ahead for Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday.
