Liverpool Handed New Referee Verdict After Controversial Decision in Burnley Stalemate

In a tense 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield on January 18, 2026, Liverpool's clash with relegation-threatened Burnley was overshadowed by controversy surrounding a first-half penalty award to Cody Gakpo.[1][2][3]

Liverpool, aiming to extend their unbeaten run, dominated early proceedings against Burnley's compact 5-4-1 low block. In the 32nd minute, Gakpo received the ball from Curtis Jones on the left side of the penalty area, shifted onto his right foot, and went down under a challenge from Burnley's Florentino Luis. Referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot, and VAR upheld the decision despite replays showing minimal contact initiated by Gakpo himself.[1][3]

Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up but smashed the penalty against the crossbar, sparing Burnley immediate punishment. Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett later lambasted the call, telling Football Insider: "What a poor penalty decision by referee Andy Madley... I struggle to see any offence that would see a penalty kick awarded to Liverpool. (This was the) wrong call by the officials."[1][2][4] Hackett argued there wasn't enough contact to warrant the spot-kick, highlighting inconsistencies in officiating like unpunished holding at corners.

Liverpool eventually broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute through Florian Wirtz, who smashed home after a sequence involving Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones recycling a shot from the byline. Wirtz's virtuoso display—his fourth goal in seven games—typified Liverpool's control, with Gakpo and Ekitike forcing saves from Martin Dúbravka.[3]

However, Burnley equalized in the 65th minute with their only shot on target: Marcus Edwards slotted past Alisson after Ibrahima Konaté failed to close him down. Despite late chances—Ekitike ruled offside from a corner, Alexis Mac Allister blazing wide, and clearances off the line—Arne Slot's defending champions couldn't reclaim the lead, dropping points against a desperate Clarets side winless in their previous 12 away games.[3]

The verdict fuels ongoing debates about VAR's role in "soft" penalties, leaving Liverpool fans frustrated and Burnley relieved with a vital point in their survival fight.[1][5]

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