Wayne Rooney makes surprise VAR penalty point as agreement reached with ex-Liverpool star
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballWayne RooneyLiverpool thought they were about to be awarded a penalty when referee István Kovács adjudged Aurélien Tchouaméni to have handled the ballWayne Rooney made the surprise claim that VAR were right not to award Liverpool a penalty during their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.The Reds ran out 1-0 winners over the La Liga giants thanks to a second half strike from Alexis Mac Allister, but thought they'd been given a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the first half.Referee István Kovács awarded Liverpool a free-kick on the edge of the 18-yard box after Aurélien Tchouaméni was believed to have handled the ball following Dominik Szoboszlai's shot from just outside the area.The official was sent to the monitor by VAR with the vast majority of those inside Anfield thinking Liverpool were about to be awarded a spot kick.READ MORE: Liverpool get instant new referee penalty verdict after VAR flashpoint vs Real MadridREAD MORE: What Trent Alexander-Arnold did after Liverpool boos speaks volumesHowever, the decision was overturned with Tchouaméni's hand deemed to be in a natural position.Speaking to Amazon Prime at half-time, former Reds striker Robbie Fowler was unsure whether the right call had been made. He said: "I can see it given and not given."Slightly biased toward Liverpool it's a penalty.
Maybe it's not a penalty."However, former Everton striker Rooney was more assured with his verdict.: "This is why we wanted VAR to get these decisions [right]. I think it's brilliant and we can all see why the referee gave a penalty [free-kick]."But that's why VAR was brought in to make these penalties.
He's made the right decision."Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also felt the decision to award a penalty would have been the wrong decision.Watch Liverpool vs Real Madrid freeThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter/X at @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on Facebook at LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up to one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.