Ex-PGMOL chief shares new Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool penalty verdict after ‘foul throw’ controversy

VAR could not go back and review Liam Delap’s throw-in, which led to Nottingham Forest’s penalty against Liverpool in the 2-2 draw on Saturday.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that it is against protocol to review throw-ins, despite the Forest striker appearing to have his boot off the ground when chucking the ball back into play.

As a result, VAR could only review the challenge that led to Sam Barrott giving the spot-kick on the field.

Alisson appeared to take out Nico Williams inside the box, which the referee deemed enough to give a penalty kick.

Previously, Hackett has exclusively told Football Insider that the challenge itself was worthy of a spot-kick.

However, while there is an argument that Delap committed a foul throw in the build-up to the penalty, the former PGMOL chief has explained that VAR could not review this when they examined the footage.

Keith Hackett: VAR could not review potential foul throw from Liam Delap

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained why Delap’s throw-in was not reviewed, despite their being an element of doubt on whether it was legal or not.

He said: “What the authorities have tried to do is keep the use of VAR interventions to an absolute minimum, and the consequence of that is: do they actually come in and expand it down the line? 

“So it's very clear that they've got to put a guideline in, and in this situation, sadly, they're not able to go back and look. 

“Now, I made that reference because I saw (Delap’s) boot pretty high. It looks as though it's off the ground now. 

“What VAR would have done is they would have looked at the position of the foot at the point of delivery. So if the player's feet are still in contact with the ground when he releases it, then it's not a foul throw.

“I was trying to highlight not that it was a foul throw, but I think it was a situation where the match officials were happy that the throw was legal? That's the point I was trying to make, and of course it does throw up the question. 

“VAR is unable to come in, and therefore we've got a penalty kick. There was a penalty kick, in my opinion, but with an element of doubt, I think others will jump to the conclusion that it wasn't a foul throw. But I think there's an element of doubt.”

Will Liverpool bounce back from Nottingham Forest disappointment?

For Liverpool and Andoni Iraola, the result against Forest will have been a huge disappointment.

In the manager’s first competitive fixture at Anfield as manager of the Reds, the hosts were poor and could have easily lost.

However, Iraola has shown in the past that it can take time for his players to adapt to the new system, with Bournemouth going on a nine-match winless streak in the Premier League when he was appointed before he turned things around.

While the 44-year-old is unlikely to go on such a terrible run at Liverpool, the manager may simply need time before Liverpool start showing their true talents.