Joe Cole says Crystal Palace were denied a ‘nailed-on penalty’ against Liverpool even though VAR claimed Virgil van Dijk’s grab on Marc Guehi ‘had no impact on the play’

Ex-Liverpool star Joe Cole believes that his former side were lucky not to give away a penalty kick during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk appeared to grab the arm of Marc Guehi as the Palace defender attempted to get on the end of a Trevoh Chalobah flick following a corner.

But referee Simon Hooper did not point to the spot, before the VAR backed up his decision.

The Premier League Match Centre later explained why the VAR had felt it was not a penalty.

An official tweet read: ‘The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by van Dijk on Guehi is checked and confirmed by VAR – deeming that the challenge was not sustained holding and had no impact on the play.’

No 6 Guehi fell to the floor under Van Dijk’s challenge as keeper Alisson punched the ball clear

Referee Simon Hooper did not award a penalty kick, before the VAR agreed with his decision

However, Cole disagreed and he told TNT Sports: ‘As Chalobah hits it into the ground that could quite easily have dropped to him. He has grabbed him by the arm and held him back. 

‘I like players reactions. Marc Guehi is not one to claim for something, but he really felt it was a penalty.

‘That tells me it was a nailed-on penalty. I think they have got away with one there.’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was asked about the incident in his post-game interview with TNT Sports.

Slot initially replied: ‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen it.

‘It happens quite far away, and in the 18-yard box, a lot of things happen.’

However, former Liverpool player Joe Cole disagreed and described it as a ‘nailed-on penalty’

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Arne Slot felt that the officials came to the correct decision

After being shown a replay, Slot added: ‘Yeah, but the ball is going to the goalkeeper. He would never go there, but yeah, probably if he would have given this one, he wouldn’t have changed it the VAR.

‘But for me, that’s not a penalty, because he will never get the ball. But in general, I don’t think Palace fans can be unhappy with the referee today, because I think it took us 55 minutes before we got our first free-kick.

‘It was 15 for us and two for them. We had 78 per cent ball possession. But it is an important decision, so that’s why we talk about it.’