LIVERPOOL FANS LEFT CONFUSED AS EX-REF EXPLAINS WHY FOREST’S CONTROVERSIAL GOAL STOOD
Confusion erupted during Liverpool’s dramatic Premier League draw with Nottingham Forest after fans questioned why Forest’s second goal was allowed to stand following an apparent foul throw by Liam Delap.
The incident quickly became one of the biggest talking points of an entertaining afternoon at Anfield, with supporters questioning both the officials and the role of VAR.
However, former Premier League referee Graham Scott has since explained why VAR could not intervene — and there may be another reason why the throw-in was actually legal.
The Incident That Sparked Confusion
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played out an end-to-end contest at Anfield, with both sides producing moments of quality and frustration.
Forest opened the scoring after 24 minutes through Dan Ndoye before Liverpool eventually found an equaliser.
Alexander Isak got the Reds back on level terms after finishing Cody Gakpo’s perfectly weighted cutback.
But Forest regained the advantage after 70 minutes.
And it was the build-up to that goal that caused controversy.
Liam Delap took a throw-in, with footage appearing to show one of his feet coming off the ground.
Neco Williams subsequently beat Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to the ball, and the Brazilian brought down the Forest player.
Referee Samuel Barrott awarded a penalty, which Morgan Gibbs-White converted.
Suddenly, Liverpool were behind again.
But supporters immediately focused on Delap’s throw.
Fans Question The Decision
Several Liverpool supporters were convinced the throw-in should have been ruled illegal.
The Laws of the Game state that a player taking a throw-in must deliver the ball while having part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline.
Images circulating online appeared to show Delap’s foot lifting from the ground during the action.
That prompted a wave of criticism aimed at the officials.
One supporter questioned why neither the referee nor assistant referee had spotted the apparent infringement.
Another argued that there was little point having laws governing throw-ins if they were not going to be enforced.
A third fan went even further, claiming it was a clear VAR failure.
The debate quickly spread across social media.
But then an explanation emerged.
Why VAR Could Not Intervene
Former Premier League referee Graham Scott offered an explanation that cleared up one major part of the controversy.
Scott explained that VAR is not permitted to intervene over a foul throw under the current VAR protocol.
That is crucial.
VAR is designed to review specific categories of incidents, including goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.
A throw-in does not fall within those reviewable categories.
Therefore, even if the officials had made an incorrect decision over Delap’s throw, VAR could not simply overturn it.
Scott explained that the VAR protocol did not allow intervention in that situation.
That means the responsibility for judging the legality of the throw remained with the on-field officials.
Was It Actually A Foul Throw?
Interestingly, Scott also raised another important point.
He suggested that the footage may not actually show Delap committing an infringement.
According to the former referee, Delap’s foot appears to come off the ground after the ball had already been released.
If that interpretation is correct, the throw-in would have been legal.
That completely changes the situation.
The key moment is not simply whether Delap’s foot lifted.
It is when it lifted.
If his foot remained legally positioned until the ball was released, there would be no foul throw.
That distinction appears to have been missed by some supporters analysing the footage.
The Penalty Is Another Question
Scott also made clear that the throw-in and penalty should be considered separately.
Even if the throw was legal, there remains a debate over whether Alisson’s challenge on Williams was enough to justify a penalty.
Liverpool supporters could therefore still question the decision even after the foul-throw controversy is removed from the equation.
Forest’s attack developed quickly after the throw, Williams reached the ball before Alisson and the goalkeeper made contact.
Barrott decided the contact was enough to award a spot-kick.
Gibbs-White stepped up and converted.
Iraola Frustrated By Substitution Delay
Forest head coach Andoni Iraola had another major complaint after the match.
The Spaniard was furious about the amount of time it took the fourth official to process his substitutions.
Iraola claimed his team had attempted to make changes during previous stoppages but had been unable to do so because of an issue with the electronic substitution board.
According to the Forest boss, the delay lasted around three minutes.
He felt his team had been trying to make the substitutions before the penalty incident occurred.
Iraola admitted the delay was not solely responsible for what happened but insisted that “everything helps”.
His frustration was obvious.
Liverpool Fight Back Again
Despite the controversy, Liverpool refused to surrender.
With Forest leading 2-1, the Reds pushed forward in search of another equaliser.
Their persistence eventually paid off.
Victor Munoz produced a smart finish eight minutes from time to rescue a point for Liverpool.
The final score was Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest.
For Liverpool, it was another frustrating result.
For Forest, it represented an impressive point away from home.
A Game Full Of Talking Points
The match had plenty of drama beyond the disputed throw-in.
Forest had taken the lead through Ndoye before Isak restored parity.
Gibbs-White then put Forest ahead from the penalty spot before Munoz rescued Liverpool late on.
Both sides therefore had periods where they looked capable of winning the match.
But the controversial penalty became the defining moment of the afternoon.
Liverpool supporters will undoubtedly continue to debate whether Delap’s throw should have been penalised.
However, according to Scott’s explanation, VAR was never in a position to intervene.
And if Delap’s foot only left the ground after releasing the ball, the throw may not have been illegal anyway.
What The Incident Teaches Us About VAR
The controversy also highlights one of the most misunderstood aspects of modern football officiating.
VAR does not exist to correct every mistake.
Its intervention is restricted to specific categories of decisions.
That means an incident can look obvious to supporters watching repeated television footage while still remaining outside VAR’s remit.
Throw-ins are one such example.
If the referee or assistant referee misses an illegal throw, VAR cannot simply step in and correct the decision.
That may frustrate supporters, but it is part of the current protocol.
The Bigger Picture For Liverpool
Liverpool will now have to put the controversy aside.
The Reds rescued a point, but they will know there were opportunities to win the match.
Their attacking quality produced goals, but defensive moments and the penalty situation allowed Forest to remain in control for long periods.
The result also means Liverpool will be searching for greater consistency as the season progresses.
Their next Premier League fixture comes against Ipswich Town on September 4.
For Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, the draw represents a valuable result at Anfield.
The Verdict
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest produced plenty of drama, but the biggest talking point was the build-up to Forest’s second goal.
Fans believed Liam Delap had committed a foul throw before Neco Williams won the ball and earned a penalty.
Morgan Gibbs-White converted from the spot to give Forest the lead.
However, former Premier League referee Graham Scott explained that VAR could not intervene over a foul throw under the current protocol.
He also suggested that Delap’s foot may only have left the ground after the ball was released, which would mean the throw was legal.
The penalty itself remains a separate matter for debate.
Liverpool eventually rescued a point through Victor Munoz, while Iraola was left frustrated by a lengthy delay involving the substitution board.
One thing is certain: the controversy is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Was Delap’s throw a foul — or did the officials get it right?