Rio Ferdinand was left in shock as he reviewed footage of Liverpool’s 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.
The Merseysiders secured their third win at the Champions League stage with a hard-fought victory away at the Red Bull Arena.
A result that sees Arne Slot’s men go top of the table with fellow high-flyers Aston Villa. Not a bad opening campaign for the Dutchman and a position that is sure to earn him further plaudits for a strong 2024/25 campaign so far.
The Reds had previously defeated Bologna (2-0) and AC Milan (3-1).
Should Liverpool have won a penalty against Leipzig?
It’s a firm yes from Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman TNT Sport’s team of experts
The pair were responding to a moment of controversy that probably should have seen the visitors give Germany the chance to double their lead.
Darwin Núñez looked to win for Liverpool a spot-kick later scoring an opening goal of the first half. However, the VAR team on duty deemed that Willi Orban was not at fault in turning over the Uruguayan forward in the 37th minute.
“That’s definitely a pen. I don’t know how the VAR has looked at it and said, ‘no, well, keep playing.’ said the 45-year-old.
“When you see this in slow motion, not at this angle, we come across another angle. This one right here: there’s contact!
“The VAR will have seen that angle and said ‘no’. I can’t believe it!”
“I don’t know how the VAR looked at this and said ‘let’s keep playing'”.
Were Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman surprised Liverpool weren’t awarded a penalty in the first half?
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Darwin Núñez denied a “stone wall” penalty?
That’s the opinion of famous football commentator and YouTube personality Mark Goldbridge.
The United Stand The host couldn’t help but give X (formerly Twitter) his two cents after the controversial moment.
Indeed, he agreed with Rio Ferdinand that the Reds had been treated unfairly, calling the incident a “stoning penalty”.
As an objective spectator, it is difficult to see how exactly the VAR team concluded that Willi Orban’s contact was not worthy of an intervention. With the footage in question slowed down, you can clearly see the 31-year-old German clip on Nunez’s wrist.
Is there enough contact to send the former Penarol down to the turf? Certainly at the speed number 9 was traveling.
Fortunately for Arne Slot’s in-form men, at least it didn’t end up costing them another vital three points on the road.
