“A soft penalty”: Brighton player and manager have their say on controversial moment against Liverpool | OneFootball

Danny Welbeck and Graham Potter acknowledge the ‘soft’ penalty awarded to Brighton by VAR

Speaking in separate interviews (h/t Brighton and Hove Independent) after the full-time result at the Amex, Brighton and Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck and manager Graham Potter admitted that the penalty won by their club against Liverpool, with the help of the VAR was ‘soft’.

Diogo Jota’s 60th-minute opener was sandwiched between two Liverpool goals which were ruled out for offside by the VAR. In injury time, Danny Welbeck went down theatrically after Andy Robertson caught his foot with a mistimed clearance.

Referee Stuart Atwell consulted his pitch-side monitor and pointed to the spot to award Brighton and Hove Albion a last-minute lifeline. Pascal Gross dispatched the penalty and the game ended 1-1, with Jurgen Klopp and his players fuming after the full-time whistle.

The referee did not spot Andy Robertson’s contact with Welbeck’s foot in real-time, and he only gave the penalty after being asked by the VAR to reconsider his on-field decision.

Speaking about the penalty incident after the match, Danny Welbeck made the admission that the penalty was ‘soft’, but one they would gladly take.