Premier League release statement as Liverpool denied late penalty against Newcastle

Liverpool were denied a penalty during their incredible 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday evening after the ball struck the hand of Magpies defender Dan Burn late on. And the Premier League have now explained why the Reds weren’t given a spot kick following the incident.

The Reds were chasing victory in the final seconds of the match after Fabian Schar had popped up with an equaliser moments earlier.

The visitors appealed for a spot kick after Alexis Mac Allister’s shot had hit the hand of Burn inside the penalty area. But the referee waved away the protests, with VAR backing up the decision.

“The referee’s call of no penalty for a potential handball by Burn is checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming that his arm was tucked into the body,” read a statement from the Premier League Match Centre on X (formerly Twitter).

Liverpool were second best throughout the first half in the north east and fell behind 10 minutes before the break as Alexander Isak fired in a sublime goal from the edge of the penalty area.

Curtis Jones equalised for the Reds in the early stages of the second half before the hosts retook the lead when Caoimhin Kelleher was unable to keep out Anthony Gordon’s effort.

Liverpool regrouped and drew level for a second time when Mohamed Salah notched his 10th Premier League goal of the season. And the Egypt winger thought he had won the game for his side when he struck for a second time with seven minutes remaining. But Schar’s goal ensured the points were shared.

The result leaves Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the table, with second-place Chelsea thrashing Southampton 5-1 on the same night.

And after the final whistle, Liverpool boss Arne Slot told Amazon Prime: “I have mixed feelings – we were outstanding in the second half but we were not good enough in the first half. Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.

“They were really aggressive and forced us into mistakes, but we were so much better in the second half. I knew the game could be changed around – we were much better with the ball.

“After the week we had we could change the game which is a very positive thing to take. Every time we need Mo Salah, he scores a goal.

“We are hoping and expecting he can continue this for a long time. He was outstanding in the second half, he did many special things for us.”