'Terrible decision' - Leeds United v Liverpool VAR decision assessed by former Premier League official

There were joyous scenes at Elland Road on Saturday evening as Leeds United battled their way to a point in a 3-3 draw with Premier League champions Liverpool.

With an impressive home victory against Chelsea still fresh in the mind, Daniel Farke’s men put on a hardworking and energetic display to claim a deserved share of the spoils against the Reds. It was the visitors that appeared to have put themselves on their way to a routine win when a Hugo Ekitike brace in the early stages on the second half put Arne Slot’s side in control.

However, two goals in as many minutes from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach got the Whites back on level-terms as the game ventured into its final quarter of an hour. Liverpool looked to have snatched the points when Dominik Szoboszlai’s neat finish put them in front once again with ten minutes remaining - but Ao Tanaka’s second home goal in as many games earned a share of the points for Leeds in the sixth minute of injury-time.

There were plenty of talking points throughout the game - but a lot of the post-match discussion revolved around the decision to award a penalty to Leeds that set the foundations for their initial comeback. A clumsy challenge by Reds defender Ibrahima Konate upended Whites winger Wilfried Gnonto as the ball was running out for a goal kick and although a penalty was not initially awarded, a VAR review saw the decision overturned and that allowed Calvert-Lewin to convert from the penalty spot.

Liverpool boss Slot agreed Konate had committed a foul but appeared to question whether VAR should have got involved in the decision during his post-match assessment.

Asked about Konate’s error, Slot said: “Unfortunately for him, he does a lot of things well but he has been a bit too much on the crime scene. That is something I have heard before saying in England. That means he’s been involved in goals we have conceded.

“If you’re a centre-back, that happens in football. Today, it was a tackle made from effort, he tried to do everything to block the cross. The ball went out, the player already went down a bit then there was contact. It was obvious and clear there was contact. The question is should VAR have interfered? Probably a lot of people would say that’s correct but these same people should look at some games we have played in games this season when VAR didn’t come.”

What have PGMOL said about the decision to award Leeds United a penalty in the draw with Liverpool?

A PGMOL statement released via their Premier League Match Centre X account read: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Leeds United. Referee announcement: 'Liverpool No.5 makes a careless challenge - the ball is in play, therefore my final decision is penalty kick'."

What has Dermot Gallagher said about the decision?

Speaking on Sky Sports ‘Ref Watch’ feature on Monday morning, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher placed the blame on Reds defender Konate, saying: "The ball is definitely in play. Konate didn't have to make that tackle.” Former Coventry City and Arsenal forward Jay Bothroyd agreed with the former World Cup official and described Konate’s decision to go to ground as ‘terrible’. He said: "Konate just has to stay on his feet. He's lunged in and not touched the ball. I really can't understand it. It's a terrible decision from Konate."

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