Liverpool’s nightmare continued yesterday with a 3–2 defeat to Brentford, but it’s the controversial VAR penalty that has every fan talking — and fuming.
In a game where Arne Slot’s men were desperately searching for a way back, the referee’s decision — after yet another long VAR check — completely changed everything.
What Really Happened
Midway through the second half, Virgil van Dijk challenged Dango Ouattara inside the box. The referee initially waved play on, but moments later, VAR stepped in, calling the referee to the pitch-side monitor.
After a tense review, the decision was overturned — penalty to Brentford.
The reasoning? Officials claimed that Van Dijk “clipped the attacker’s leg” and “impeded his progress,” even though the contact appeared soft.
Brentford’s Igor Thiago made no mistake from the spot, smashing home to make it 3–1 — a goal that completely deflated Liverpool’s momentum.
What PGMOL Said
The Premier League’s refereeing body later defended the decision, saying:
“There was clear contact from the defender on the attacker’s trailing foot before the ball, and that contact was sufficient to cause a loss of balance.”
But to Liverpool fans, that explanation doesn’t hold up. Many pointed out a similar incident involving Cody Gakpo in the first half that wasn’t even reviewed by VAR.
Frustration From the Reds’ Camp
Captain Virgil van Dijk voiced his frustration after the game:
“We just want consistency. One week it’s given, the next week it’s ignored. It’s really hard to understand.”
Manager Arne Slot couldn’t hide his disappointment either, calling the result “one of the toughest nights” of his early Liverpool career.
“We prepared well, we fought hard, but moments like that kill our rhythm. We deserved more from the game,” Slot said.
The Bigger Picture
This loss marks Liverpool’s fourth straight defeat — something the club hasn’t experienced in over 30 years.
Brentford struck through Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade, while Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah tried to spark a comeback that ultimately fell short.
The Reds’ Premier League title hopes are now fading, and fans are demanding answers — not just from the players, but from VAR officials as well.
Fans’ Reactions
“VAR is killing football. That was never a penalty!” “If that’s a foul, football is gone.” “We need consistency, not confusion every weekend.”
Whatever side you’re on, one thing is clear — VAR once again became the main character in a Liverpool game, not the players.