90min

X reacts as VAR controversy dominates Liverpool win over Crystal Palace

  • VAR took centre stage during Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace
  • Referee Andy Madley awarded the Eagles a controversial penalty in the second half
  • Jordan Ayew sent off before the game turned in Liverpool's favour

By Ewan Ross-Murray

Andy Madley has been the focal point
Andy Madley has been the focal point / ADRIAN DENNIS/GettyImages
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Referee Andy Madley and VAR took centre stage during Liverpool's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with controversial penalty and red card decisions sure to dominate the evening's headlines.

Liverpool managed to win the game thanks to another late turnaround, Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott's strikes overturning a one-goal deficit.

However, it was inevitably the officials under the spotlight, with the ongoing debate of what constitutes a clear and obvious error raging in the crowd, on the commentary gantry and, most importantly, on social media.

Before all the chaos unfolded, there was good news for Liverpool prior to kick-off as Alisson was welcomed back in goal for the Reds. The Brazilian had been missing after sustaining a muscle strain against Manchester City in late November, but his comeback was greeted with plenty of positivity.

And Liverpool's shot-stopper proved his worth just before the 30-minute mark, producing a truly astonishing save to keep out Jefferson Lerma's close-range effort. Jurgen Klopp will certainly be pleased to have the 31-year-old back...

Just moments after Alisson's wonder save, Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty when Virgil van Dijk felled Odsonne Edouard in the area.

However, there was a pretty clear foul, to many but not all, on Wataru Endo in the build-up to the decision, with referee Madley eventually reversing the call after a lengthy delay and VAR check.

Despite the VAR drama, the game would enter half-time goalless, with Liverpool more than a little ponderous in the opening 45 minutes.

Knowing a win would take them top, the Reds needed to step it up at Selhurst Park...

Crystal Palace may have been denied a penalty in the first half, but they were gifted a rather remarkable one early in the second.

Despite the game having continued for 105 seconds after Jarell Quansah's challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta in the box, Madley was eventually asked by VAR to take a look at the decision, stopping the game mid-flow before awarding the spot-kick to the Eagles.

A truly bizarre situation that is seldom seen in the Premier League.

But Madley wasn't done with his whistle just yet, sending off Jordan Ayew for a second yellow card after a fairly tame challenge on Elliott. Unsurprisingly, the decision sparked debate.

Just minutes after Ayew's dismissal, Liverpool took advantage, Salah's deflected effort levelling proceedings. A pretty significant way to score his 200th goal for the Reds and his 150th in the Premier League.

Despite Palace's best efforts to secure a hard-fought point at Selhurst Park, substitute Elliott unleashed a venomous strike from the edge of the area to give Liverpool a late lead.

Regardless of the controversial VAR calls, it was a goal worthy of winning any match.

However, it was ultimately the officials who were the major talking point from a breathless clash between Crystal Palace and Liverpool on Saturday.

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