Ref Watch: VAR correct to stick with on-field decision for TAA‘s handball

Dermot Gallagher says VAR was correct to go with the on-field decision by Michael Oliver in the Trent Alexander-Arnold handball shout, while the former Premier League referee also assesses other VAR calls from another weekend full of controversy.

From controversial goal decisions, penalties not given for handball, and big toes being offside, it's been another eventful weekend for Premier League referees.

So how did Dermot see it? Here's Sky Sports News' resident ref's view...

Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City

INCIDENT: Fabinho fired the hosts ahead with a superb strike from distance in the top-of-the-table clash at Anfield, but moments before, Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to handle a cross at the other end. Referee Michael Oliver waved play on but had VAR decided a foul had been committed, Fabinho's goal would have been ruled out and a penalty awarded to Manchester City.

Oliver did not feel that the incident was a deliberate act and that the defender was consistent with his movement in the penalty box. Oliver was in constant contact with the match VAR, Paul Tierney at Stockley Park, in the moments after the incident. As Tierney did not believe a clear and obvious error had been made, no penalty was given. Tierney agreed that Alexander-Arnold's arms had not been in an unnatural position when the ball struck him.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: I don't think it's a penalty.

DERMOT SAYS: This incident has to be an on-field decision, as Oliver has the best view.

There's an angle where the referee makes the decision, we don't need to talk about the VAR, the on-field referee makes the decision. Straight away, he says no penalty. He sees the speed of the ball and he sees it hit Alexander-Arnold on the arm. I think he's got the best view of everybody - he's an amazing athlete to keep up with play.

Remember, a ball striking an arm isn't a penalty. Oliver will have communicated with the VAR that the ball came too quickly at Alexander-Arnold - once Oliver makes that call, then VAR will never ever get involved. If you asked 100 neutral football fans about the decision, you'd have a split vote. There would not be a majority. Even if the referee had come over to the pitch-side monitor, he wouldn't have reversed his decision.

INCIDENT: Liverpool went 2-0 up when Alexander-Arnold started an attack with an inch-perfect cross-field pass to pick out fellow full-back Andy Robertson, who in turn curled a beautiful cross into the path of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian, who was playing on the shoulder of the last man, made no mistake at the far post to send the home fans wild. VAR checked the incident for offside but deemed Salah onside according to their lines,

DERMOT'S VERDICT: It's onside.

DERMOT SAYS: This is where VAR works - it's exactly what we ask for from it.

INCIDENT: City thought they should have had a penalty when Raheem Sterling's cross hit Alexander-Arnold's arm, but again, the referee waved away the claims to leave Pep Guardiola furious on the touchline.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: No penalty.

DERMOT SAYS: Alexander-Arnold had a busy day! This one certainly isn't a penalty. The referee is always in the perfect position.

Tottenham 1-1 Sheffield United

INCIDENT: At 1-0 down, Sheffield United thought they had levelled when David McGoldrick tapped home Enda Stevens' cross. However, replays deliberated whether John Lundstram's big toe was offside in the build-up and after nearly four minutes of waiting, the VAR eventually ruled out the goal to the delight of the home fans. The VAR also deemed the Tottenham defence didn't have time to reset.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: It's offside.

DERMOT SAYS: The system draws the lines. The operative is convinced because of the way the lines corroborate that - Lundstram is just offside. That is a fact. I can see why Sheffield United will be frustrated but this is the system we've got and that teams signed up for. And according to the system, it's offside.

On the reset laws, it's a subjective call. The VAR felt that the defence didn't get the opportunity to reset - the attack was all part of one phase so the goal was ruled out. It's a difficult one. If everyone is happy with the decision, then no-one really minds how long the decision took, it's when it's a split decision that time then becomes a factor.

Manchester United 3-1 Brighton

INCIDENT: On 57 minutes, youngster Brandon Williams goes in high on Steven Alzate and catches him in the midriff with a high boot. Only a yellow card is awarded and the VAR agrees with the on-field decision.

DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct call.

DERMOT SAYS: An interesting one. He does get the ball and he'd argue once he makes contact with the ball, Alzate comes towards him. He does catch him but it's only a yellow card.