Howard Webb defends controversial VAR decision after Liverpool penalty fume

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Liverpool were on the receiving end of a VAR decision in their draw vs Leeds United - with a penalty awarded to the home side after a challenge from Ibrahima Konate.Liverpool have been informed VAR made the correct call in awarding a penalty against them during their Premier League draw vs Leeds United, despite queries surrounding how "clear and obvious" the decision reversal actually was. Following a dominant two-goal advantage, a penalty decision shifted the game in Leeds' favour when Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate lunged in for an unnecessary challenge on Wilfried Gnonto as it seemed the ball was heading out of play.While no penalty was awarded on the pitch, the referee was prompted to reverse his call, handing a spot-kick to the Whites.

He said: "When I look at the video, for me, it's a clear penalty."What's really important here is that when the contact is made by Konate on Gnonto, Konate doesn't play the ball, he makes the contact, he takes Gnonto down. Really importantly on this is the ball is still in play at that moment."And you'll hear on the comms, Anthony Taylor the referee, saying the ball is already out of play and that's important of course.

Because if the ball is out of play when that contact happens, it can't be a penalty kick."So, VAR looks at it, is able to slow it right down, break it down and see, when does the contact happen? How does that relate to where the ball was at that time?"It was still in play, it's a clear foul, and therefore the intervention by the VAR in this situation is a good one.