“UNBELIEVABLE — that was a FOUL. It should have been a PENALTY, not a goal kick!” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher openly blasted both the referee and VAR after the incident from Mohamed Salah’s clear foul in the penalty area…

The mood within Anfield changed dramatically in a heartbeat. What had been a tense and cautious match suddenly erupted into fury in the 80th minute, as Mohamed Salah initiated a threatening attack. The ball surged into the box, chaos ensued, and then came the pivotal moment that has since taken over the news: Bernardo Silva’s clear foul, with no attempt to play the ball in the area. Yet, instead of awarding a penalty, the referee indicated a goal kick.

In mere seconds, disbelief spread through the stands.

Jamie Carragher was unreserved in his criticism.

From the studio, the Liverpool icon slammed his hand on the desk, articulating what millions of fans were feeling. “Unbelievable. That was a foul. It should have been a penalty, not a goal kick. I don’t understand what VAR is even there for anymore.” His tone was composed, but the underlying frustration was evident. For Carragher, this was not merely a poor decision; it represented a deeper issue.

Social media exploded almost instantly.

Footage of the incident circulated rapidly on X, Instagram, and TikTok, replayed from every conceivable angle. In slow motion, the arm movement appeared even more incriminating. Fans zoomed in, drew lines, circled the arm, and compared it to past decisions that had led to penalties. The public consensus was nearly unanimous: Liverpool had been cheated in broad daylight.

Within the stadium, players surrounded the referee.

Mohamed Salah raised both arms in disbelief. The Liverpool captain was seen shouting, “That is a clear foul—how is that not a penalty?” Several teammates echoed his protest, but the official remained resolute. VAR conducted its silent review, and moments later, the decision was upheld: no penalty. Just a goal kick. The crowd’s groans were overwhelming.

Behind the scenes, Liverpool’s coaching staff were seething.

A source within the technical department disclosed that the assistant coach persistently sought clarification from the fourth official. The only reply was a vague mention of ‘natural position.’ This explanation only exacerbated the situation. A member of Liverpool’s support staff later remarked, ‘If that’s a natural position, then the rules have lost their meaning.’

Jamie Carragher took it a step further after the game.

In a candid discussion, he shared a private conversation he had with a former referee earlier this season. ‘They confessed to me that sometimes VAR looks for reasons not to award penalties, particularly in crucial moments. That resonated with me. And tonight, it feels like that occurred once more.’ His comments intensified an already heated debate.

Players were cautious with their words, yet the message was unmistakable.

Mohamed Salah informed reporters, ‘I don’t want to incur a fine, but everyone witnessed what transpired. You train all week, you battle for every ball, and then one decision alters everything.’ Another Chelsea player, who spoke anonymously, stated, ‘If that’s not a foul, then I genuinely don’t know what qualifies as one anymore.’

Even players from the opposing team appeared uneasy.

A rival defender was seen on camera shaking his head as he exited the pitch. Later, off the record, he allegedly confessed, ‘I’d be furious too if that happened against us. It’s one of those situations where you expect VAR to intervene.’ That quiet acknowledgment reached Liverpool’s dressing room—and only intensified the feeling of injustice.

Sources close to the match officials maintain that the VAR team deemed the arm to be in a ‘supporting position.’

However, insiders from refereeing circles have since revealed that there was disagreement within the VAR booth itself. One official reportedly contended it was a clear penalty, while another believed the defender had insufficient time to react. Ultimately, the on-field decision remained unchanged. This internal division, now being discussed online, has raised troubling questions about consistency and accountability.

Fans are not merely upset; they are fatigued.

This is not the first contentious decision Liverpool has encountered this season, and supporters sense a recurring theme. A lifelong fan outside the stadium remarked, “We accept mistakes. However, when VAR reviews something evident and still errs, that is not a mistake—it is a failure of the system.”

Jamie Carragher later echoed this sentiment during the evening.

“This is no longer just about Liverpool,” he stated. “It concerns football as a whole. If players are uncertain about what constitutes a handball, if fans are confused, and referees interpret it differently, then the integrity of the game is compromised. VAR was intended to resolve this issue, not exacerbate it.”

Privately, Liverpool executives are reportedly gathering footage of various incidents from recent games.

While no official complaint has been filed yet, sources indicate that the club is preparing a comprehensive report for the Premier League, seeking clarification on foul interpretations and VAR procedures. One senior figure allegedly told colleagues, “We are not seeking favors. We are requesting consistency.”

Perhaps the most telling moment occurred after the final whistle.

In the tunnel, Mohamed Salah encountered the referee and quietly inquired, “Can you clarify it for me?” The official is said to have responded, “From our perspective, it was not sufficiently clear.” Salah shook his head and walked away without further comment.

That brief interaction encapsulates everything.

For Liverpool, this was not merely a missed penalty. It served as yet another reminder that in contemporary football, even clear situations can become obscured by grey areas and technical language. For fans, it felt like yet another installment in an expanding narrative of VAR controversies. And for Jamie Carragher, it confirmed a concern he has been expressing for months.

As he bluntly stated before concluding: “If this is the benchmark, then we are all just speculating. And that is unacceptable for the Premier League.”

The discussion is far from concluded. Clips continue to circulate. Analysts are preparing for tonight’s discussions.

However, one thing is clear: the decision to award a “goal kick instead of a penalty” in the 80th minute has reopened a wound that has never fully healed—and once again put refereeing, VAR, and the delicate trust in football under a harsh spotlight.