Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has dropped his two cents on the controversial VAR call for handball in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Manchester United are now 13th in the Premier League table after securing an important point on their visit to Anfield on Sunday evening.
Ruben Amorim’s men bounced back from their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford last month with a superb showing against the Premier League leaders.
United stunned Liverpool in the second half after Lisandro Martinez broke the deadlock, with the Reds forced to climb back into the contest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s men found an equaliser through Cody Gakpo in the 59th minute before a handball decision went against United and Liverpool were awarded a penalty.
Mohamed Salah stepped up for the subsequent spot-kick effort and beat Andre Onana to put Liverpool 2-1 up against United in the 70th minute.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side fought back after going 2-1 down and Amad Diallo netted United’s crucial equaliser to secure a point for the Red Devils.
Gallagher on VAR and handball call against Man Utd
Manchester United fans were furious after a controversial handball decision went against Mattjhis de Ligt in the second half of the contest.
Alexis Mac Allister connected with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross and the Liverpool midfielder’s close-range header struck the high arm of Mattjhis de Ligt.
Michael Oliver initially didn’t award the decision before VAR intervened and the Premier League referee was summoned to take a closer look at the monitor.
The referee walked back on his initial decision and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, with Liverpool subsequently scoring a penalty against United.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher insisted that VAR was “fair” to intervene and the United defender’s arm was “too high” during the offence.
“It’s a fair intervention because the rule is whether his arm is above shoulder,” he said.
“Well, it clearly is and the ball flies off the head of the player in front of him. His arm is too high.
“It’s a good intervention from VAR and they did it quickly. They sent the referee to the screen and he gave it straight away.”
Amorim asked about handball and penalty
Ruben Amorim admitted that it was a “shame” to see Liverpool score from the penalty after it turned the tide of momentum in the Reds’ favour.
When asked about the handball decision, he said: “No, I didn’t see the image.
“It seems like someone touched the ball before touching hand.”
Speaking on Liverpool’s penalty against United in his post-match press conference, he added: “Focus on the performance.
“It was a shame because it’s really hard in the moment, when he touched the ball, you change the direction of the ball, was really hard for us.
“But when we were losing 2-1, you feel we could draw and maybe win the game. You could have snatched it; I think that is clear.”
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