Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk found himself at the center of controversy as Chelsea was denied a penalty despite the Reds’ captain appearing to trip Conor Gallagher. The incident occurred during Jurgen Klopp’s first home league game since announcing his stunning exit.
Despite Liverpool’s strong start, Chelsea had a chance when Raheem Sterling sent Gallagher on goal. However, when the Blues midfielder was brought down by Van Dijk, referee Paul Tierney did not award a penalty, and the VAR did not intervene.
The rationale behind this decision stems from Gallagher’s fall, which seemed to be initiated by his right leg making contact with Van Dijk’s right knee. However, crucially, Gallagher was already in the process of falling slightly before the Dutchman made contact.
Referee Tierney deemed this contact insufficient to warrant a penalty, and the VAR, represented by John Brooks, did not view it as an error, leaving the original decision unaltered.
In the broader context of the match, this denied penalty was a rare sight of goal for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, who faced a relentless Liverpool side at a lively Anfield.
The Reds’ aggressive midfield asserted dominance over Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, while Ben Chilwell’s frequent recklessness in possession added to Chelsea’s challenges.
Liverpool’s persistent pressure paid dividends as Diogo Jota opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Seizing Conor Bradley’s delivery, Jota skillfully navigated through Chelsea’s vulnerable center-backs, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Conor Bradley himself added to Liverpool’s lead with a spectacular goal, securing Klopp’s side a comfortable advantage before halftime. Bradley’s first Liverpool goal showcased his proficiency as he contributed to the team’s offensive prowess.
While the denied penalty could have altered the narrative, Liverpool’s overall performance demonstrated their control of the game.
The aggressive midfield, coupled with incisive attacks, troubled Chelsea throughout the match. Jota’s clinical finish and Bradley’s impressive contribution underlined Liverpool’s effectiveness in turning pressure into tangible goal-scoring opportunities.
