adminLiverpool handed VAR explanation as Mohamed Salah penalty overturned vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool thought they had earned a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot against Crystal Palace, only to see the decision overturned following Brennan Johnson’s challenge on Mohamed Salah.
The Reds believed they would get the opportunity to go ahead midway through the first half at Anfield after Salah went down under a challenge from Johnson while driving into the penalty area. However, the Crystal Palace winger was adamant he had made contact with the ball and protested vigorously to referee Andy Madley.
After a brief delay, Madley was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR. The original decision was then reversed, as replays confirmed Johnson had indeed touched the ball before any contact with Salah. Explaining the ruling, the Premier League Match Centre account on X stated: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Liverpool. Referee announcement: ‘After review, Crystal Palace number 11 gets a touch on the ball. My final decision is a drop ball to the goalkeeper – no penalty.'”
Analyzing the incident on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean said: “I don’t think it’s a penalty. Johnson needs to get the ball, and Salah has knocked it past him. Johnson touches the ball, and I don’t even think Salah is looking for a penalty – he just loses his balance and goes down. It shouldn’t be a penalty, and if anything, it’s just outside the box as well.”
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood went a step further, accusing Salah of diving: “Johnson is adamant he hasn’t made contact with Salah. I think he’s dived. It’s on the edge of the box anyway, and there’s no contact. Johnson plays the ball as well. Salah jumps straight up.”
The overturned penalty ultimately had little impact on the result, as Liverpool took the lead shortly afterward. Alexander Isak scored his first goal since December following his return from injury. Andy Robertson then doubled the Reds’ lead after good work from goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. The third-choice keeper was handed his first league start due to injuries to both Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
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