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Alexis Mac Allister's second-half header was the difference-maker in Liverpool's impressive win against Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, but a first-half penalty appeal could have seen the Reds out of sight.
Liverpool made it two wins in a row with the victory over Madrid, coming days after the Premier League triumph over Aston Villa. The game also featured Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to Anfield, where he was roundly booed every time he touched the ball - much to the displeasure of Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
However, Liverpool's victory wasn't without its share of controversy as a penalty decision was reversed in the first half. Dominik Szoboszlai's shot was blocked by Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni.
Following appeals for a penalty, referee Istvan Kovacs chose to award a free-kick just outside the box. A VAR review ensued, with Kovacs heading to the pitch-side monitor.
Most spectators, both at the stadium and at home, believed the review was to determine whether the handball occurred inside or outside the box.
Yet, after the review, the referee rescinded his handball decision and opted to restart the match with a drop ball, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Keith Hackett opined that not only were Liverpool unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty, but he was also taken aback by the decision to restart the game with a drop ball.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: "Wow. The handling offence was on the line of the penalty area, and VAR intervened then to suggest that the free-kick should be upgraded to a penalty.
"The referee on review decided that it was not handball and, therefore, not a penalty kick. So, he restarted the game with a dropped ball.
"I believe Liverpool are unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. The defender's actions are to challenge the Liverpool forward in an effort to block the ball and succeed. The ball does strike the arm of the defender."
Commenting on the decision as it unfolded, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg remarked: "Normally, the VAR would just tell him over the headset that it's a penalty kick - as it's factual - so it's interesting that he's going to have a second opinion.
"Because the referee has given a handball, and I think it is a handball because he's made his body bigger, so I agree with his initial decision of handball, but once it is handball, he then needs to decide if it's in the area.
"What he's now saying is that it isn't handball - as he doesn't believe the defender made his body bigger - because you can clearly see the ball touching the hand.
"That is why VAR recommended the review, seeing that the decision was wrong to give the handball. I disagree, I think it's a handball."
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