Ex-Premier League referee delivers verdict on Alexander-Arnold's handball incident

Former Premier League referee Dermoth Gallagher has backed Michael Oliver for his decision not give Manchester City a penalty after the handball situation in the starting minutes of the match at Anfield Road. Gallagher wrote on Sky Sports

"This incident has to be an on-field decision, as Oliver has the best view. "There's an angle where the referee makes the decision, we don't need to talk about the VAR, the on-field referee makes the decision. Straight away, he says no penalty. He sees the speed of the ball and he sees it hit Alexander-Arnold on the arm. I think he's got the best view of everybody - he's an amazing athlete to keep up with play. "Remember, a ball striking an arm isn't a penalty. Oliver will have communicated with the VAR that the ball came too quickly at Alexander-Arnold - once Oliver makes that call, then VAR will never ever get involved. If you asked 100 neutral football fans about the decision, you'd have a split vote. There would not be a majority. Even if the referee had come over to the pitch-side monitor, he wouldn't have reversed his decision."

Liverpool beat Man City 3-1 to go eight points clear at the top of the table. PL back-to-back champions are now 4th.

Source - Sky Sports

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