Gary Neville delivers verdict on Brighton penalty, and Liverpool fans will not like it

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Gary Neville has claimed on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (10.40pm) that Liverpool defender Andy Robertson will be looking at the penalty he conceded against Brighton – and admitting that it was a “little bit rash”.

Liverpool players Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Robertson himself have come out after the match on social media and in interviews to slam VAR – which gave the decision against Robertson. The match finished 1-1, as Brighton scored from the spot.

Indeed, Pascal Gross’ strike doubled the pain for Liverpool – with the Reds closing in on a narrow win thanks to Diogo Jota’s strike. The Reds would have secured a place at the top of the table, if they had held on to a win. Instead, Spurs sit top.

Asked about the incident, Neville believes Robertson was rash and having looked back on the incident – he feels the Scotland captain will be “disappointed” for swinging a leg somewhat blind at the loose ball, especially at such a key moment in the game.

“It was a little bit rash,” Neville said. “Robertson will be thinking, I shouldn’t be swinging my leg like that, I could catch Welbeck. With these decisions, we need consistency. He will be disappointed with himself, not a massive mistake – but a little bit rash.”

TBR’s view – Was Robertson to blame for Brighton penalty?

Robertson was not trying to tackle a player, nor was he trying to stop Welbeck getting the ball. The carelessness on Robertson’s side comes from the point of view that he simply does not know where Welbeck is, given his big swipe at the ball.

He catches Welbeck, who goes down – somewhat belatedly, which has understandably incensed Liverpool fans even more. Neville is right. Robertson was sloppy, and the penalty decision is the right one, even if he has not meant to tackle Welbeck.