![\"Istvan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-2244526086.jpg\")
Istvan Kovacs indicates no penalty after consulting a pitch-side monitor during Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.(Image: (PAUL ELLIS\/AFP via Getty Images) )<\/p>\nLiverpool look to have put their recent poor form behind them after beating Real Madrid – but there was controversy during the game at AnfieldIstvan Kovacs indicates no penalty after consulting a pitch-side monitor during Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.(Image: (PAUL ELLIS\/AFP via Getty Images) )<\/p>\n
Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half header helped continue Liverpool’s revival against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Tuesday night. The Reds made it back-to-back wins against the La Liga side after beating Aston Villa in the Premier League<\/a> a couple of days earlier.<\/p>\n However, Liverpool’s<\/a> win was not without controversy, as they saw a penalty overturned in the first-half. Dominik Szoboszlai’s<\/a> shot was blocked by Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni.<\/p>\n And after appeals for a penalty, referee Istvan Kovacs opted to award a free-kick on the edge of the box.<\/p>\n A VAR check then took place, before Kovacs headed over to the pitch-side monitor, with most inside the ground and watching at home believing the review was to check whether the handball happened inside or outside of the box.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Arne Slot makes ‘scandalous’ Liverpool admission after Real Madrid win as recent slump addressed<\/a>READ MORE: Why Rodri is not involved for Man City vs Borussia Dortmund as Liverpool watch on ahead of Sunday<\/a><\/p>\n However, following the review, the referee overturned his decision to give handball and decided to restart the game with a drop ball.<\/p>\n And former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Keith Hackett believes that not only were Liverpool <\/a>unlucky not to be awarded a penalty, but he was surprised by the call to restart the game with a drop ball.<\/p>\n He told Football Insider<\/a>: “Wow. The handling offence was on the line of the penalty area, and VAR intervened then to suggest that the free-kick should be upgraded to a penalty.<\/p>\n “The referee on review decided that it was not handball and, therefore, not a penalty kick. So, he restarted the game with a dropped ball.<\/p>\n “I believe Liverpool are unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. The defender’s actions are to challenge the Liverpool forward in an effort to block the ball and succeed. The ball does strike the arm of the defender.”<\/p>\n Reacting to the decision live, former Premier League <\/a>referee Mark Clattenburg said: “Normally, the VAR would just tell him over the headset that it’s a penalty kick – as it’s factual – so it’s interesting that he’s going to have a second opinion.<\/p>\n “Because the referee has given a handball, and I think it is a handball because he’s made his body bigger, so I agree with his initial decision of handball, but once it is handball, he then needs to decide if it\u2019s in the area.<\/p>\n “What he’s now saying is that it isn’t handball – as he doesn’t believe the defender made his body bigger – because you can clearly see the ball touching the hand.<\/p>\n “That is why VAR recommended the review, seeing that the decision was wrong to give the handball. I disagree, I think it\u2019s a handball.”<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Real](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-2244526003.jpg\")
Real Madrid players surround Istvan Kovacs as he consults the pitch-side monitor at Anfield.(Image: (PAUL ELLIS\/AFP via Getty Images) )<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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