Alan Shearer has delivered a clear one-word reaction to whether Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penalty against Liverpool.
The Reds bowed out the competition after giving the Premier League heavyweights a real run for their money at the City Ground, with Diogo Jota’s close-range strike proving to be the only goal of the game. However, soon after the goal, there were massive shouts for a Forest penalty when midfielder Ryan Yates went down under a challenge from keeper Alisson Becker as he broke into the box.
Amid huge appeals from the home fans and players, the incident was checked by VAR, which awarded a goal-kick rather than a spot-kick. Former England and Newcastle United striker Shearer believes the right call was made.
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Football Joe initially tweeted: “Another massive VAR call goes Liverpool’s way. Should this have been a penalty?” with Shearer simply replying: “No.”
Forest boss Steve Cooper wasn’t so sure, suggesting the decision may have been different had it been at the other end of the pitch. Commenting on the penalty appeal and Liverpool’s goal, which looked borderline offside, Cooper said after the game: “I haven’t seen them back. I think it would have been interesting if they were at the other end.
“It’s the first time I’ve experienced VAR and the first time we’ve had it here. I guess you have to trust the process of what it is. It would definitely have been interesting if they were down the other end.
“It was tight for the goal, because obviously it went to the VAR with offside. Some of the questions I was getting asked when doing the TV interviews suggested it might have been an interesting one. That’s what I’m saying, if it had been down the other end…
“With the penalty shout, my instinct was, because of what the moment was and also, the guys who know Forest know Yatesy is one of the most honest players…
“He's too honest, to be honest. That was the feeling, that there was no way he would go down. Plus you're thinking, 'go round him and score'.”
