Isak non-penalty and Madueke-Mac Allister ‘headbutt’ show good and bad of VAR

Arsenal earned a 1-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield courtesy of an early goal from Kai Havertz. The match featured two major refereeing controversies involving VAR interventions. In the first half, Liverpool striker Alexander Isak was denied a penalty despite Jurrien Timber pulling his shirt. Later in the game, Arsenal winger Noni Madueke avoided a red card after a clash of heads with Alexis Mac Allister, who was booked following a VAR review.

Sky Sports pundits and manager Andoni Iraola argued that Liverpool should have received a penalty for Timber's shirt pull on Isak. However, pundits including Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville praised VAR for not dismissing Madueke. They criticized Mac Allister for exaggerating contact after confronting the winger, following an earlier foul on Martin Odegaard.