Liverpool told VAR made mistake as controversial penalty overturned vs PSG

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Liverpool were denied a penalty against Paris Saint-Germain as they crashed out of the Champions League. 22:14, Tue, Apr 14, 2026 Updated: 22:19, Tue, Apr 14, 2026 Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is fouled by Willian Pacho leading to a penalty being awarded (Image: Getty Images)Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty against Paris Saint-Germain, according to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg.

Maurizio Mariani pointed to the spot immediately after the Argentine international went down, but was instructed to review the incident once more by VAR."We talk about clear and obvious John, every time we talk about the VAR interventions, but when you see the contact on Mac Allister's foot...and people will say it's soft, but it's not wrong - there is a contact," said Clattenburg on commentary."Once the referee gives it, I expect the penalty to be upheld. If he hadn't give it, I would accept the VAR not to interfere, but once the on-field decision was penalty kick, I would expect it to be given."Former Newcastle striker and Amazon Prime pundit Alan Shearer was left astounded that the decision had been reversed, believing that midfielder Mac Allister had positioned himself superbly to earn a foul inside the area."I'm surprised as well because Mac Allister does ever so well to try and protect that ball, inviting the challenge in from Pacho," he said.

Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock felt that Mac Allister's tumble was an ungainly one.Referee Maurizio Mariani overturns his original decision (Image: Getty)"I didn't think it was a penalty," he said on BBC. "Liverpool threw everything at Paris St-Germain," he said."Yes, PSG have ridden their luck at times, but this is the level that every European team is aspiring to get to.