'Horrible': Pundit says VAR actually made a big mistake in Wolves 1-2 Liverpool
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Wolves came close to earning a point from Saturday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Molineux.
A predatory goal from Rayan Ait-Nouri cancelled out a headed opener from Ibrahima Konate, only for Mohamed Salah to steal all three points with a 61st minute penalty.
It means Gary O’Neil is still yet to oversee a win in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign after six attempts.
However, an incident involving Diogo Jota and Mario Lemina in the 35th minute easily could have seen Wolves playing against ten men while the scoreline remained 0-0.
Dean Ashton certainly seemed to think so, as he told Ref Watch earlier on Monday.
Dean Ashton says Diogo Jota should have seen red after Mario Lemina challenge
In case you missed it, the Liverpool No.20 was only shown a yellow card after upending Lemina in the 35th minute, with a clumsy challenge which saw the Wolves No.5 take studs to his achilles.
VAR had a look at the incident, but decided to stick with Anthony Taylor’s on-field decision.
Speaking about the moment on Ref Watch for Sky Sports, Ashton said: “I think this is (a red card). That breaks your ankle. I think that’s a horrible challenge. Not meant, but he’s slightly out of control, Jota… he’s landed right on his (Lemina’s) ankle, from behind. That is where you have a serious, serious injury.”
Lemina – who Liverpool wanted to sign in 2023 – was fortunate to avoid a gruesome injury after the challenge, which was, however, not deliberate from Jota by any means, as Ashton states.
Ultimately, it could have gone either way, as Dermot Gallagher – a former Premier League referee – told Ref Watch that he felt Taylor did make the right decision.
Liverpool need to improve on Wolves display to win Premier League
The Reds find themselves top of the Premier League after victory over Wolves at Molineux, although Arne Slot will still have concerns.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 15 |
| 2 | Man CityManchester City | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| 3 | ArsenalArsenal | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 14 |
| 4 | ChelseaChelsea | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
| 5 | Aston VillaAston Villa | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 13 |
| 6 | FulhamFulham | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
For one, Konate – who Liverpool believe has improved under Slot – found himself caught in two minds over whether to shield the ball out or clear it before Wolves equalised, an error which, on another day, would not be spared by a favourable penalty decision, and the Reds would cheaply drop two points.
Of course, we are only six games into a brand new regime under the Dutchman, so there will be creases to iron out, although every point is crucial in a title race up against Manchester City, as Liverpool fans know all too well.
