Liverpool were not awarded a penalty when Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt as he went for a header in the box

Dermot Gallagher believes the officials were 'damned if they do and damned if they don't' when deciding whether to award Alexander Isak a penalty, when Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber pulled his shirt when going for a header on goal. The ex-Premier League official reckons VAR would have been accused of 're-refereeing' had they intervened.

Gallagher highlighted that VAR cannot inform the referee to review his decision unless they are convinced it is a penalty. The Sky Sports pundit admitted that Timber got lucky not to be initially caught by Andy Madley.

"It depends which angle you watch it from. The first angle, you see nothing. That is the referee's angle," Gallagher said.

"The second angle, which is what VAR looks at, and it is a lot more damning. VAR looks at it in slow motion, which is another thing against him. In normal speed, he grabs and grabs him quickly but let's go. Does he do enough [for a penalty]?

"What is Timber's intention? He is on the wrong side of him. Does he do enough to stop him? He [Isak] will say yes, as he is close to the ball.

"VAR would be accused of re-refereeing if it is a penalty. It is a case of damned if they do and damned if they don't.

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"It has to be the case of on-field. The more I watch it, the more I think he [Timber] has taken a big chance and has got lucky."

Alongside Gallagher, Jay Bothroyd was in disbelief that anything but a penalty was considered. "Where was the referee? Every angle, I can see it is a penalty," he said.

"He has pulled his shirt. How can none of them [referee and VAR] see that and say it is a penalty? I can't comprehend that. I don't get it."

Even Arsenal forward Ian Wright was surprised that the referee did not point to the spot. He said: "It's obvious he's pulled is shirt. Why does he need to dive? He shouldn't have to make more of it.

"VAR is wrong in this instance. Of course it's my team and I'm happy we've won it. But if they gave that penalty, I wouldn't sit here and say: 'I can't believe they gave that'."

Jamie Carragher was aghast that VAR did not intervene. He said: "One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball - why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR, do your job."

Reds boss Andoni Iraola said he would have to tell his players to fall to the floor when they are fouled. Asked if players should go down, Iraola said: “It’s a shame you ask me this question, but honestly, yes, we have to tell them, go down, because they’re not going to call it otherwise.

“And then referees complain why they go down. Because if you don’t go down, you don’t call it. Then it’s like, no, you are all the time going down.

“But I think Alex is honest. He tries to go for the ball, everyone can see live straight away there is a clear, clear pull.” He added: “The answer is you have to dive. If you don’t dive they are not going to call it.”

Gallagher also provided his verdict on Liverpool not being awarded a penalty when Christos Tzolis held Cody Gakpo. VAR upheld the on-field decision, and the former official does not believe the call for a spot-kick had any merit.

Gallagher said: "It is not similar to the last incident. Tzolis is feeling for him more than anything. The ball is so far over the top. Does it have any impact on him? Is the forward quite happy to go down. I just don't think it's a penalty."