Liverpool handed new penalty verdict after controversial Andy Robertson decision

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes it was the right decision to award a penalty against Liverpool. Andy Robertson was penalised for a foul on Southampton forward Tyler Dibling in the first-half but there was controversy surrounding whether it was inside the box.

The challenge from the Scotland captain was on the edge of the box and VAR felt there was no ‘conclusive evidence’ to suggest it was outside of the box. Robertson and Virgil van Dijk vented their feelings to referee Samuel Barrott, who initially pointed to the spot, with the left-back gesturing that the challenge occurred outside of the box.

According to the FA, a foul or handball committed on the penalty area line is considered to have occurred inside the penalty area, and a penalty kick is awarded. And the ex-referee felt that it was the right decision from the official.

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“(It) Looks a penalty at real speed when you slow it down, he's on the penalty area line,” he began.

“The line belongs to the goalkeeper therefore it's a penalty, it's a factual decision. Referee gave a penalty on field so VAR confirmed it on the pitch.

“The referee has got it right, give him credit for it, when you slow it down, you go through the mechanics like they did - there's two elements and that's what VAR came to. There's no evidence that it's outside the penalty area.”

The incident occurred in the first-half and handed Southampton an avenue back into the encounter, after Dominik Szoboszlai fired the Reds in front. Adam Armstrong saw his initial spot-kick saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before he squirmed the equaliser home.

Arne Slot's side fell behind in the second-half but the Reds responded thanks to a second-half double from Mohamed Salah.