In a stunning twist to an already heated Champions League clash, Liverpool have been told that VAR made a crucial mistake in overturning their first-half penalty against Real Madrid — a moment that could have drastically changed the outcome of the match.
According to former Champions League referee Mark Clattenburg, the decision to overturn Liverpool’s penalty was “incorrect” and demonstrated “a serious lapse in VAR protocol and judgment.” His comments have reignited fierce debate among fans, pundits, and former officials over the consistency and credibility of VAR in Europe’s biggest competition.
The Incident That Sparked Controversy
The flashpoint occurred midway through the first half when Luis Díaz darted into the Real Madrid box and was clipped by Dani Carvajal. The referee, standing just yards away, immediately pointed to the spot as Díaz went down under pressure. For a brief moment, Anfield erupted — but the celebration was short-lived.
VAR intervened, instructing the referee to review the decision on the pitch-side monitor. After a tense delay, the initial call was dramatically overturned, with the referee ruling there had been “insufficient contact” to merit a penalty. The decision left Liverpool players fuming and Jürgen Klopp visibly frustrated on the touchline.
Clattenburg’s Take: “VAR Got It Wrong”
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Clattenburg didn’t mince words.
«“From every angle I’ve reviewed, it’s clear that Carvajal makes contact with Díaz before the ball,” he said. “The original decision was correct — it was a penalty. VAR should have supported the referee, not overturned him.”»
He went on to explain that under current UEFA guidelines, VAR is only supposed to intervene when there is a clear and obvious error.
“This was not a clear and obvious mistake. It was subjective — which means the on-field call should have stood,” Clattenburg added. “By stepping in, VAR effectively re-refereed the situation, which goes against its intended use.”»
Fans and Pundits React
The football world quickly lit up on social media. Many Liverpool supporters accused VAR of showing bias, while others pointed to a growing pattern of questionable decisions in European matches involving English clubs.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher echoed Clattenburg’s sentiments, tweeting:
«“That’s a stonewall penalty. If that happens anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a foul every time.”»
Even neutral fans admitted the decision seemed inconsistent with recent calls, especially after similar incidents in other Champions League fixtures had been given as penalties.
The Broader Implications
The controversy has once again placed VAR under scrutiny, particularly in high-stakes matches where a single call can define a team’s season. Critics argue that the system — designed to eliminate errors — is instead creating new ones by encouraging over-analysis and inconsistent interpretations of contact and intent.
For Liverpool, the moment was a turning point. The Reds went on to lose the tie narrowly, and many are left wondering how differently the game might have unfolded had the penalty been allowed to stand.