Why VAR didn’t request review of Arsenal’s penalty decision against Liverpool?

• Why VAR didn’t ask referee Michael Oliver to review Arsenal’s penalty decision vs Liverpool?

Former Premier League referee, Dermott Gallagher has claimed Michael Oliver was not asked by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to review his penalty decision during Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Liverpool, because his version of the foul did not differ from TV replays.

After a thrilling win at the Emirates on Sunday, Arsenal reclaimed first place in the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka’s second-half penalty sealed victory for the hosts after Thiago Alcantara was deemed to have fouled Gabriel Jesus.

The decision enraged Liverpool, who had their own penalty claim for Gabriel’s handball turned down in the first half.

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Despite the fact that many people thought Oliver’s decision was incorrect, VAR didn’t ask him to review it on the pitch-side monitor.

When asked if he was surprised that VAR did not ask Oliver to check the penalty, Gallagher told Premier League Productions:

“No, I’m not.

“Because I think what would’ve happened when Michael made his decision, the VAR and referee would speak quickly and Michael would’ve said he’s convinced he hasn’t got the ball and caught him across the bottom of the ankle, and in his view it’s a penalty.

“VAR looks, you can see he doesn’t get the ball, he does catch him across the ankle, so there’s nothing to send him across to say it’s a clear and obvious error for me. The pictures do reinforce what he would say.”