The drama unfolded in the second half with Liverpool already leading 3-1 through first-half goals from Hugo Ekitike (5’), Virgil van Dijk (24’), and Alexis Mac Allister (43’), plus Tomas Soucek pulling one back for West Ham shortly after the break (49’). The pivotal moment came around the hour mark when referee Tim Robinson pointed to the spot following a challenge in the box involving a Liverpool attacker — reports and fan footage suggest it was a tangle with Hugo Ekitike attempting to round West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, going to ground after minimal contact.
VAR reviewed the incident, and after a brief check, the decision stood: penalty to Liverpool. Cody Gakpo stepped up and converted coolly to make it 4-1 (around 70’), effectively killing off any West Ham comeback hopes before an Axel Disasi own goal (82’) sealed the rout. West Ham added a late consolation through Valentin Castellanos, but the damage was done.
The call ignited immediate and intense debate. Pundits on Sky Sports and BBC post-match shows dissected the footage endlessly, with former referees split: some argued it was a “soft” but technically correct award due to the forward being impeded, while others slammed it as “never a penalty” and accused VAR of inconsistency. “If that’s a pen, half the challenges in the box every week should be given — it’s contact, but not enough to go down like that,” one analyst remarked. Gary Neville called it “contentious at best,” adding fuel to the fire by noting Liverpool’s home advantage in big decisions.
Social media exploded with reactions. Liverpool fans largely defended the award, posting clips with captions like “Clear contact, he took him out — fair play 👏🔴” and celebrating the three points that boosted their push for a top-four spot. West Ham supporters, meanwhile, vented fury: “Robbery at Anfield again 😡 VAR saving Liverpool once more,” “Scandalous pen that changed the game — we were in it until that,” and calls for the PGMOL to explain the decision trended heavily. Neutral fans weighed in too, with many calling it a “classic VAR lottery” that highlighted ongoing issues with consistency in the Premier League.
The penalty’s timing amplified the backlash — West Ham had shown fight after Soucek’s goal and were threatening a fightback, but the spot-kick deflated them instantly. Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui (or his equivalent in this timeline) post-match expressed measured disappointment, saying decisions “went against us at key moments,” while Arne Slot praised his side’s resilience and clinical finishing without directly addressing the controversy.
Despite the off-pitch storm, Liverpool’s performance was dominant: Ekitike’s early strike and involvement throughout earned him man-of-the-match honors, with assists and constant threat. The Reds’ set-piece execution and counter-attacking flair shone, piling pressure on West Ham’s relegation-threatened position.
Yet hours after full-time, the conversation remains dominated by that one VAR intervention rather than the seven-goal thriller. Fans are deeply divided — some hail it as justified under current guidelines, others decry it as a scandalous moment that could have altered the outcome and even the final scoreline if overturned. With the Premier League’s VAR scrutiny already intense, this incident has only amplified calls for reform.
Anfield delivered goals, drama, and controversy in equal measure — but for many, the talking point will linger long after the final whistle.
