Ex-referee Dermot Gallagher backs VAR’s decision to award Liverpool a late spot-kick against Man United… as former Reds defender Stephen Warnock slams fans for arguing against the ‘stonewall penalty’

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has given his verdict on the decision to award Liverpool a late penalty against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

With the Red Devils leading in the final 10 minutes, Anthony Taylor pointed to the penalty spot after Harvey Elliott fell under a challenge from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Mo Salah stepped up to convert his penalty and rescue a point for Liverpool, which could prove vital in the Premier League title race.

However, with slow motion footage emerging from the match, some Man United fans were convinced a penalty should not have been awarded.

Despite this, former referee Gallagher supported the decision made by Taylor and the VAR as he said on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch: “I think it’s a penalty.

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘If you do a challenge like this, the expectation on my part was a penalty. People say “is there a lot of contact?” Well, he lunges and definitely makes contact.

‘Has Elliot initiated contact? I think he just stood his ground. “My expectation was the penalty and I think the decision is correct.”

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock agreed with Gallagher’s assessment and went a step further.

He criticized those who argue that the sentence should not have been awarded, saying: “I find it disconcerting.

“I’ve seen this all over social media, a lot of Man United are saying it but suggesting there is no contact.”

“They think it’s not a penalty.

‘One thing we always talk about is the player’s reaction. Wan-Bissaka does not dispute it, no Manchester United player does. Everyone knows it was an evasion penalty.

This point sees Liverpool slip into the Premier League title race, with Man City and Arsenal winning their games.

It remains to be seen who will win the league this season in one of the most exciting title races in recent history, with just one point separating the top three.