Peter Walton says Roberto Firmino’s goal should have stood against Manchester United

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Former Premier League referee Peter Walton says Roberto Firmino’s disallowed goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester United should have stood.

In the Times, Walton said United got lucky with regards the incident where Virgil van Dijk challenged David de Gea before Sadio Mane pounced on the loose ball to tee up Firmino to score.

He claimed: “Manchester United can count themselves incredibly fortunate that VAR chalked off Roberto Firmino’s goal for Liverpool. I do not think there was enough evidence to disallow the goal.

Last month, VAR allowed a goal for Everton against United to stand after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had made contact with De Gea at a corner. There was more contact in Calvert-Lewin’s challenge but it was not deemed serious enough for the goal to be disallowed.”

TBR’s View – As ever, inconsistency is the problem

Frustration over the level of protection afforded to goalkeepers challenging for the ball is nothing new.

For years, fans and players alike have been left annoyed by the strictness of referees regarding offences where an outfield player jumps for the ball with the goalkeeper.

But at least if there was consistency, it would be easier to understand.

Instead, as Walton says, an incident with more contact just last month on the same goalkeeper went by unpunished while yesterday the goal was ruled out.

It’s frustrating for supporters and it would have been doubly so for Liverpool fans if their side hadn’t won eventually.