Liverpool's VAR controversy takes fresh twist as referee speaks on Real Madrid call

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However, Liverpool's victory wasn't without its share of controversy as a penalty decision was reversed in the first half. Yet, after the review, the referee rescinded his handball decision and opted to restart the match with a drop ball, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Real Madrid players surrounded Istvan Kovacs as he consulted the pitch-side monitor at Anfield (Image: (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)) "The referee on review decided that it was not handball and, therefore, not a penalty kick. The ball does strike the arm of the defender." Commenting on the decision as it unfolded, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg remarked: "Normally, the VAR would just tell him over the headset that it's a penalty kick - as it's factual - so it's interesting that he's going to have a second opinion.

"Because the referee has given a handball, and I think it is a handball because he's made his body bigger, so I agree with his initial decision of handball, but once it is handball, he then needs to decide if it's in the area. "What he's now saying is that it isn't handball - as he doesn't believe the defender made his body bigger - because you can clearly see the ball touching the hand.