A pivotal VAR decision in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United has been defended, with the Reds having been left frustrated not just by the penalty, but the overall result
Luke Thrower Trends Writer, Will Jenkins and James Smailes
11:43, 17 Dec 2025
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool fouls Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United in the penalty area
Liverpool have been told VAR made the right decision in awarding a penalty against them during their Premier League stalemate with Leeds United, despite questions over how “clear and obvious” the overturned call truly was. The controversial moment came in a match where the Reds crumbled against Leeds United, a worrying pattern that has developed under Arne Slot this campaign.
It has taken just a simple shift in momentum for the title holders to find themselves facing significant pressure, which was clearly visible at Elland Road. After establishing a commanding two-goal lead, a penalty decision swung the match in Leeds’ favour when Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate dived in for a reckless challenge on Wilfried Gnonto as the ball appeared to be travelling out of play.
Whilst no penalty was given initially, the referee was advised to overturn his decision, awarding a spot-kick to the Whites. Dominic Calvert-Lewin slotted it home with confidence.
That ignited a comeback, but questions persist about whether the penalty should have been given in the first place, with confusion over whether the ball stayed in play.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb discussed the incident on Match Officials Mic’d Up. He said: “When I look at the video, for me, it’s a clear penalty.”, reports the Mirror.
“What’s really important here is that when the contact is made by Konate on Gnonto, Konate doesn’t play the ball, he makes the contact, he takes Gnonto down. Really importantly on this is the ball is still in play at that moment.
“And you’ll hear on the comms, Anthony Taylor the referee, saying the ball is already out of play and that’s important of course. Because if the ball is out of play when that contact happens, it can’t be a penalty kick.
“So, VAR looks at it, is able to slow it right down, break it down and see, when does the contact happen? How does that relate to where the ball was at that time?”.
“It was still in play, it’s a clear foul, and therefore the intervention by the VAR in this situation is a good one. It demonstrates the real value of having VAR to rectify what was a clear and obvious error made on the field.”
In the end, it seems the right call was made, though Slot took issue with that decision when addressing journalists in his post-match media briefing.
“A VAR intervention that leads to a penalty,” said Slot. “The first chance they had, which was for 2-2 because for 2-1 wasn’t a chance. I think the ball is already out, there was contact, so he gave a penalty.”
Ultimately, it became a crucial turning point in the encounter, with Leeds equalising moments after netting from twelve yards, during what was a chaotic affair.
Whilst Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to have clinched victory late on, an Ao Tanaka strike condemned Liverpool to another crushing away-day capitulation.
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