Premier League explain why Liverpool denied after Wolves decision U-turn | OneFootball

Reds saw two key decisions go against them in a disappointing second half-performance at Anfield

The Premier League have explained why Liverpool’s second penalty award against Wolves was overturned.

The Reds had already netted once from the spot in Sunday’s eventful contest at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah lofting straight down the middle after goalkeeper Jose Sa had brought down opening goalscorer Luis Diaz.

However, the decision was reviewed by VAR John Brooks and Hooper later reversed his call after being sent to consult the pitchside monitor as replays showed that it was Jota who appeared to have initiated the contact with Agbadou, who was taken off injured shortly afterwards.

Explaining that U-turn, the Premier League Match Centre said in a statement: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Liverpool for a challenge by Agbadou on Jota and deemed any contact was not initiated by Agbadou, therefore recommended an on-field review.

“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has already been in hot water for protesting refereeing decisions this week, with the Dutchman and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff accounting for two of the four total red cards dished out by Michael Oliver in chaotic scenes that followed Wednesday night’s dramatic 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

On that occasion, Slot felt that James Tarkowski’s thunderous 98th-minute equaliser should have been ruled out for a push by Beto on Ibrahima Konate inside the box, while he also appeared to dispute how much extra stoppage time had been played after a collision between Everton defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Carlos Alcaraz.

Slot and Hulshoff both received Football Association (FA) charges on Friday along with both clubs following the chaotic end to the derby, and have until Wednesday to respond as they await their punishment.

However, Slot had no issue with the major decisions given against his side against relegation-battling Wolves as they held on to triumph 2-1 and restore their seven-point title lead over Arsenal despite Matheus Cunha’s fantastic strike that set up another exciting finish.

He said: “Today, 2-0 up, we had to deal with thinking we scored the 3-0 – completely the correct decision that he disallowed it for offside. Thinking we were going to score the 3-0 with a penalty [for] Mo [Salah], again, in my opinion, the correct decision for the VAR to turn that decision over.”