The Premier League have explained that Southampton’s controversial penalty against Liverpool on Sunday was allowed to stand due to inconclusive evidence for the VAR to analyse.

Despite sitting at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Liverpool had been warned that Southampton would be no walkovers. The newly promoted strugglers play an enterprising brand of football that has won admirers from across the division – but has seen them pick up just four points.

Southampton’s insistence on playing out from the back led to Dominik Szoboszlai’s well-taken opener, but the hosts managed to carve through Liverpool on several occasions in the first half. Tyler Dibling led one surge in the 40th minute, luring Andy Robertson into a wild lunge right on the edge of the penalty area.

Much to the delight of the St Mary’s crowd, referee Sam Barrott pointed to the spot. Caoimhin Kelleher rebuffed Adam Armstrong’s first effort but couldn’t deny his attempt on the rebound. As Arne Slot questioned the fourth official on the touchline, he was not the only one confused by the decision.

The on-pitch official only had one look at the incident which took place at high speed. However, even with all the replays available, VAR Michael Oliver was still uncertain about exactly where the foul took place.

The Premier League’s official Match Centre X account explained: “The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Robertson on Dibling is checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was no conclusive evidence that the contact occurred outside the penalty area.”

Robertson’s foot appeared to be on the line of the 18-yard box – which counts as inside the area – but it was his shin that made contact with Dibling. VAR could not find a suitable angle to conclusively prove that the foul had exclusively taken place outside the box and so did not have the authority to overturn the on-field decision.

By this logic, had the on-pitch referee awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box rather than a penalty, the VAR would not have recommended a spot kick.

Slot managed to keep his cool in the game, refraining from the explosions that his predecessor Jurgen Klopp was prone to. Some members of Liverpool’s fanbase on social media were less forgiving.

Even those without any affiliation to Liverpool questioned the validity of the spot kick.

READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP