VAR told they made ‘baffling’ error in Man Utd vs Liverpool as incident ‘missed by officials’

The VAR for Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Manchester United on Sunday has been told it made a ‘baffling’ error.

Liverpool thrashed arch-rivals Man United at Old Trafford, maintaining their 100 per cent start to the new Premier League season.

A Luis Diaz brace put Arne Slot’s side firmly in control before half-time, before Mohamed Salah scored early in the second half to kill United’s hopes of a comeback.

The scoreline flattered United, whose performances was levels below Liverpool’s. The visitors spurned several chances to increase the score, and on another day might have been awarded a penalty.

During the second half, United defender Noussair Mazraoui appeared to catch the back of Cody Gakpo’s leg.

Referee Anthony Taylor played advantage, which resulted in Darwin Nunez shooting wide.

The incident was not reviewed by video assistant referee John Brooks and assistant VAR Harry Lennard, a decision former Liverpool star Neil Mellor found baffling.

The ex-Liverpool striker took to X to share two images of the incident which he felt was a clear penalty missed by VAR.

“Referee sees foul on Gakpo and indicates advantage… Nunez shoots wide,” Mellor wrote.

“Contact was inside the area… so why hasn’t VAR told him he was right and contact in area so should be a pen?

Baffling decision.”

Noussair Mazraoui got away with a risky challenge. [Getty]

As it happened the non-decision didn’t prove significant, but it was another example of fans being frustrated with the inconsistent use of VAR and implementation of the rules by referees.

Arsenal fans were left enraged on Saturday when Declan Rice was shown a second yellow card for delaying the restart of play by kicking the ball away.

Though his booking was technically correct, it came after Brighton’s Joao Pedro escaped punishment for the same offence.

Liverpool will look to make it four wins from four when they face Nottingham Forest after the international break.