Liverpool Fans Argue VAR Missed Red Card for Pascal Gross in Dominik Szoboszlai Foul, Citing IFAB Laws

Using IFAB rules, supporters have argued that Brighton’s Pascal Gross ought to have been sent off for hauling down Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool and giving away a penalty.

 

With the score tied at one, the German brought down Szoboszlai in the area, and referee Anthony Taylor signaled the foul.

 

 

 

Jurgen Klopp’s team took the lead as Mohamed Salah scored the spot kick, sending Bart Verbruggen smudging his attempt.

However, Gross was not given a warning or a red card for the occurrence. The Reds fans were ecstatic when VAR verified and checked it.

 

 

 

Given that Gross essentially prevented Liverpool’s number eight from having a chance to score, some questioned the referee’s ruling.

 

 

 

Writer Jack Lusby of And This Is Anfield shared a screenshot of the amended IFAB laws on X (Twitter).

A player who violates the law and makes ‘an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball’ is to be warned, according to the law.

 

Should any other situation arise, the player need to be sent out for impeding a chance to score a goal.

 

Referees are only allowed to show a player a red card after awarding a penalty under the double jeopardy law if the player made a sincere and obvious challenge for the ball.

 

Additionally, Liverpool supporters contend that Gross ought to have been sent off for failing to play the ball upon hauling down Szoboszlai.

 

The incident is shown below.”Denial of goalscoring opportunity with no effort to get the ball,” one person remarked on X (Twitter). Red card cleared.”

 

Someone else commented: “I get the double jeopardy rule but the player didn’t play any attempt to win the ball.”

 

Another person said, “How has Gross not been fired for that? Szoboszlai’s scoring was obviously prevented.”

 

The Liverpool Echo reports that VAR officials did not view Szoboszlai’s chances as a “clear goalscoring opportunity.” PGMOL, the refereeing authority, has not yet issued an official statement.

 

In any case, the discussion will undoubtedly continue.

 

What do you think of the referee’s ruling? Tell us in the comments below.