FIFA has just delivered very sad news for referee Anthony Taylor, announcing that he has lost his job following a controversial decision that denied Manchester United a scoring opportunity in the match against Liverpool.

The recent VAR controversy during Liverpool’s dominant 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford has sparked intense debate among football fans and pundits. The incident, which took place on Sunday, has reignited concerns over the effectiveness and consistency of VAR, a system meant to reduce errors but now questioned for potentially creating new ones.

Liverpool, in top form since the season’s start, thoroughly outclassed their long-time rivals in a match that clearly demonstrated their superiority. From the outset, Liverpool imposed their dominance, with Luis Diaz delivering a standout performance by scoring two goals in the first half, setting the stage for a commanding victory. Mohamed Salah, one of the Premier League’s most formidable forwards, added a third goal early in the second half, effectively crushing any hopes Manchester United had of a comeback.

Despite the convincing scoreline, some argue that the result could have been even more lopsided. Liverpool generated numerous chances throughout the match, and on another day, they might have converted more of those opportunities. One particular incident in the second half has been the focus of much post-match scrutiny.

The controversy revolves around an encounter between Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. As Gakpo drove into the penalty area, Mazraoui appeared to clip his leg, causing Gakpo to stumble. Despite what many saw as clear contact, referee Anthony Taylor allowed play to continue, with Darwin Nunez eventually shooting wide from a promising position. The situation became even more contentious when it was revealed that the VAR team, led by John Brooks and assisted by Harry Lennard, chose not to review the incident, leaving many puzzled and questioning the decision.

Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was particularly outspoken about the perceived injustice surrounding the incident. Using the social media platform X, Mellor posted images that appeared to show clear contact between Mazraoui and Gakpo. He expressed his confusion over the decision not to award a penalty, questioning why VAR failed to intervene in what seemed like a straightforward call. Mellor pointed out that the referee had acknowledged the foul by playing advantage, yet after Nunez’s shot went wide, the incident wasn’t reviewed—a decision that both Mellor and many Liverpool fans found baffling.

Mellor’s frustration mirrors a wider dissatisfaction among football fans with the inconsistent use of VAR. “The referee saw the foul on Gakpo and signaled advantage… Nunez shot wide,” Mellor wrote. “The contact happened inside the area… so why didn’t VAR inform him it should be a penalty?” This sentiment has been widely echoed within the football community, where there is growing discontent with the seemingly inconsistent nature of VAR decisions.The recent VAR controversy during Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford has indeed sparked intense debate among football fans and pundits, highlighting ongoing concerns about the effectiveness and consistency of the VAR system.

Liverpool’s dominant performance saw them outclass Manchester United from the very beginning, with standout displays by Luis Diaz, who scored two goals in the first half, and Mohamed Salah, who added a third goal early in the second half. Despite the convincing scoreline, there were moments of contention that have led to scrutiny, particularly regarding a potential penalty that was not awarded to Liverpool.

The controversial incident occurred in the second half when Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo drove into Manchester United’s penalty area and appeared to be clipped by defender Noussair Mazraoui. Referee Anthony Taylor allowed play to continue, seeing Darwin Nunez shoot wide from a promising position. However, the decision not to review the incident via VAR, led by John Brooks with assistant Harry Lennard, has raised questions among fans and analysts.

Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was vocal on social media about the situation. He posted images that seemed to show clear contact between Mazraoui and Gakpo, expressing confusion over the decision not to award a penalty. Mellor’s argument hinged on the fact that the referee acknowledged a foul by signaling for advantage, yet after the play broke down with Nunez’s miss, there was no subsequent VAR review. This has led to widespread frustration and accusations of inconsistency in the application of VAR rules.

Mellor’s comments have resonated with many fans who feel that VAR, while intended to minimize errors and increase fairness in football, often results in more confusion and controversy. The incident underscores the ongoing debate about how VAR decisions are made and communicated, with many calling for a clearer and more consistent approach to avoid such contentious situations in the future.

Overall, the controversy surrounding the VAR decision in this match has amplified existing concerns about the technology’s reliability and fairness, leading to renewed calls for improvements in how VAR is used in the Premier League.