RIO FERDINAND was stunned after Liverpool were denied a blatant penalty against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
The Reds faced the German team in the League Phase of the tournament at the Red Bull Arena.
In the 27th minute, Darwin Nunez scored from close range to give the visiting team the lead.
After going down in the box in the 38th minute, the striker was back in the midst of the action.
The Uruguayan was rushing towards the ball when he was tripped by defender Willi Orban in the box.
Replays showed Nunez getting to the ball first and being hauled down by the Hungarian.
Rio Ferdinand was startled at halftime when VAR declined to award a penalty.
Speaking on TNT Sports, he remarked, “I’m not sure how VAR looked at this and said no.”
“VAR would have seen that angle and said no, I cannot believe it.”
Co-pundit Steve McManaman agreed, arguing that there should have been a penalty kick.
He continued, “Of course, that is a penalty.
“There’s the contact, Nunez works hard, and made it himself, for what should have been a penalty.”
Nunez scored the opener in the Champions League match.
VAR reviewed the ruling, but Nunez’s claim was denied even after a second look.
Fans were outraged on social media because the referee had not pointed to the spot.
One poster asked, “How is that not a penalty?”
A second person wrote, “People who say no need a new pair of glasses.”
A third person commented, “Stone waller.”
A fourth commented, “So refs and VAR are incompetent all over Europe, huh?”
Another said, “How this isn’t a pen is beyond me.”
