'Who made the decision?' - PGMOL expert furious with VAR 'nonsense' after Liverpool vs Aston Villa incident

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.

Credit: Getty Images / Imago Tue 4 November 2025 17:15, UK Paul Tierney failed to act appropriately as referee Stuart Attwell missed a key incident between Liverpool and Aston Villa stars.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Unai Emery‘s side should have gone down to 10 men at Villa Park on Saturday, 1 November.Ryan Gravenberch was key for Liverpool after returning from injury, doubling the Reds’ lead after Mohamed Salah netted the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, with the Villans unable to hit back.With emotions running high, Emery was cautioned for his clash with Dominik Szoboszlai towards the end of the game, and he was not the only figure incapable of keeping himself on the right side of the law.Amadou Onana avoids clear sending off during clash with Alexis Mac AllisterHackett was adamant that Villa midfielder Amadou Onana should have been sent off after grabbing Alexis Mac Allister around the throat before a corner kick was swung into the penalty area.Although the Belgian was cautioned, it is not entirely clear if Attwell saw the incident clearly, with the Liverpool star being left in a heap on the floor, clutching his face and neck inside the goal.The incident was reviewed by VAR, but to the surprise of many fans watching the game unfold, the player remained on the pitch until the final whistle was blown at Anfield. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES "As much as I like a physical game… that should be a red card!"Ref Watch disagree over whether Amadou Onana should have seen red for his push on Alexis Mac Allister on Saturday 😬 pic.twitter.com/UFcmtZ9npD— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2025 View Tweet Now, after re-watching clips of Onana’s lashing out, Hackett has taken issue with Tierney, who was the VAR official for the game, having failed to intervene at such a crucial moment in the clash.Paul Tierney to blame as red card missed for Aston Villa starSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty area incident, the former referee said: “This is a bit of the nonsense that goes on with VAR.

“The referee has given a yellow for what he’s seen, but VAR could have given him a better view. I do think there’s a potential upgrade; let the referee look at the monitor.

Then, if he’s still happy with his yellow card, so be it. “That’s how VAR should operate.