Last season, it was 11mm. This season, could the difference prove to be just 21 seconds?
Premier League leaders Liverpool opened up a nine-point gap on champions Manchester City on Sunday, as Jรผrgen Klopp's side ran out 3-1 winners.
But it could all have turned out rather different at Anfield.
Just five minutes and five seconds in, City were convinced they should have had a penalty awarded for handball as Bernardo Silva's cross struck Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
A mere 21 seconds later, they were behind.
What happened, exactly?
After a breathless start, Silva whipped a cross from the right into the box towards the waiting Sergio Aguero.
With Alexander-Arnold his closest marker, the Liverpool right-back got caught in an awkward moment as the ball popped up to strike his right arm.
Immediately City protested as on-field referee Michael Oliver waved play on, but the hosts quickly put the incident behind them as they charged up-field.
The result?
Fabinho drilling in a wonderful strike from 25 yards to send Klopp's men on their way following a potentially season-defining 21-second period of play.
After the match, Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports: "I think it might have hit my arm but it hit Bernardo Silva's first. You have to carry on playing, they complained but you have to keep on playing."
What happened last season?
Cast your mind back to 3 January, as Liverpool arrived at Etihad Stadium looking to open up a 10-point gap over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
With the game goalless, Sadio Mane struck the post and John Stones' attempted clearance rebounded off goalkeeper Ederson, forcing the defender into a dramatic last-gasp clearance.
Goalline technology showed the ball was just 11.7mm short of crossing the line.
Pep Guardiola's side went on to win the match 2-1, condemning Liverpool to their sole defeat of the season as City eventually claimed the title by a single point in May.
'What a load of rubbish!'
"Ask to the referees, don't ask me. Ask to Mike Riley and the guys in VAR," said Guardiola on the verdict after the match.
So what did the referees have to say?
The decision not to award Manchester City a penalty was, according to the Professional Game Match Officials Board, because the appeal for handball against Trent Alexander-Arnold "did not meet the considerations for a deliberate handball".
That explanation did not sit well with all.
"What a load of rubbish! Absolute drivel," said Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Sutton as he was read the statement.
"If I was a Man City player I'd be furious. In games that are decided by such tiny moments, that was a refereeing howler."
Sutton added: "There will be controversy. It did look like Trent's arm was in an unnatural position. I think Alexander-Arnold is a lucky lucky boy. It should have been a penalty.
"I don't understand why it wasn't given. His arm was out, it hit him on the arm - it's a penalty. I just don't get it, with what we have been told about the hand-ball rule that has to be the definition of a penalty.
"Why on earth does Michael Oliver not take it upon himself and look at it on the monitor? Later on he will see that decision and know that he got that wrong."
Robbie Savage, also speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, added: "How on earth is that not handball? It's absolute nonsense. Go and use the pitchside monitor - it's a big error."
pusbmor
333
I think giving a pen for a hand from someone's hand is not justice enough despite allegiances. but overall very entertaining match.
Badshahking
206
Pep respect us 9 points ahead Pep has gone mad ๐๐ ๐ CONFIRM: This season we will lift the EPL trophy
AN-WAR
204
Premier League this year is going to under the Liverpool. Man City does not stop ๐ Liverpool even Klopp
FemiBalogun
191
To me that first goal not supposed stand, it's a free kick for Liverpool because of hand ball by barnado Silva, and reff can not give advantage for handball foul,if it's a kick on player you can give advantage so far the kicked player team still have the ball but this is handball foul, it suppose be a free kick for Liverpool.my opinion Sha
muzabdlny
190
we will follow you to Ettihad and still we will harmer you black and blue just accept defeat we don't spare teams who come to ANFIELD we make sure they go crying.
Eradical
142
Personally though, I believe the rule(handball) should be updated to outlaw any contact with the hand by the football; which is to say that if during play the ball strikes ANYBODY'S hand whether intentional or unintentional, play should be called back; and the player for which team the ball has struck his hand should be penalized by offering a freekick to the opposing team.
Eradical
111
This is what I said to a Liverpool supporter, that Trent's arm was in an unnatural position; but he said he(Trent) was running and that's the natural position when running. Yet the the guy's hand is away from his, and the guidelines clearly state that if your arms/hands are being used to make your body bigger, then it's a clear infraction; and in this case a penalty.... But unfair, narrow-minded Liverpool supporters would point to sour grapes on my part as a Barca supporter, when in truth and in fact they know they got away with one today.
Badshahking
106
PEP what a dive from sadio mane ๐๐
commoncommenter
98
great article but u as a english journal should consider proofreading. this is not appropriate for an app of this quality
Arighna
14
To the pundit.... Recap it. See aguero's hand. same position as TAA. Then how is it unnatural? Var is never partial. In armpit case or today's case or the penalty given against us or Hundson Odoi's yellow card. Every decision was correct. Stop complaining and enjoy VAR