Was it a penalty or not? Liverpool fans are up in arms after a controversial VAR decision left them fuming during their Champions League clash with Real Madrid. But here's where it gets controversial... The incident, which occurred midway through the first half, saw Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni seemingly block Dominik Szoboszlai’s powerful shot with his hand inside the penalty area. The Anfield crowd erupted in outrage, expecting a penalty, but referee Istvan Kovacs initially awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Replays on the big screen clearly showed the contact was inside, and when the VAR check began, anticipation was palpable. However, after reviewing the footage, Kovacs overturned his own decision, ruling that Tchouameni’s arm was in a 'natural position' and not penalty-worthy. And this is the part most people miss... The explanation, broadcast on Amazon Prime, only fueled the fury of Liverpool fans, who took to social media to express their disbelief and frustration. Thousands branded the decision a disgrace, with some even accusing it of being corrupt. One fan tweeted, 'Liverpool have been robbed, how is that not a handball?' while another sarcastically remarked, 'It's a handball, but only if it's outside the box apparently. Fck right off.' The debate didn’t stop there—even former referee Mark Clattenburg weighed in, stating it was a clear handball, but his opinion was met with mixed reactions. Some fans mocked his analysis, calling it 'absolutely wild' and questioning his credibility. *But here's the real question: Was this a case of poor officiating, or was the decision justified?** Pundits were split, with former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock insisting it was a 'simple' penalty, while ex-Real Madrid player Jonathan Woodgate argued that Tchouameni couldn’t have done anything differently. Former La Liga referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz defended the call, claiming it was '100% correct' and criticizing the delay in decision-making. Amidst the controversy, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister finally broke the deadlock with a header just after the hour mark, sending Anfield into a frenzy. Yet, the night was overshadowed by the VAR drama, leaving fans and experts alike divided. What do you think? Was it a penalty, or did the officials get it right? Let us know in the comments!
