Newcastle's Night of Injustice: Were Two Crucial Penalties Robbed in Liverpool Stalemate?

Newcastle United's highly-anticipated clash against Liverpool ended in a 1-1 draw, but the Magpies were left wondering what could have been, with two contentious penalty claims going against them.

The first incident occurred in the first half when Joe Willock appeared to be tripped in the Liverpool box, only for the referee to wave play on. The decision sparked widespread outrage, with the Newcastle faithful adamant that their side had been denied a clear penalty.

Upon closer inspection, it is evident that Willock's feet were indeed clipped by the outstretched leg of an opposing player. Given the proximity of the incident to the assistant referee and the clarity of the challenge, it is difficult to understand why the officials deemed it unworthy of a penalty award.

Late in the game, Newcastle were denied another spot-kick when Trent Alexander-Arnold was accused of handball in the box. While the ball did indeed strike the Liverpool defender's arm, it is a common occurrence in football that such incidents can often be difficult to discern.

What is undeniable, however, is the consistency with which these types of incidents are dealt with by referees and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). In an instance earlier this season, a player was awarded a penalty for a virtually identical handball incident, and yet in this case, the Newcastle players were left frustrated and dismayed by the lack of a penalty award.

While the Newcastle players were left ruing the referee's decisions, the most significant VAR intervention of the weekend occurred in a separate fixture involving Southampton and Bournemouth. Jack Stephens of Southampton was sent off for a mindless hair-pull on an opponent, marking a notable shift in the application of VAR.

Several seasons ago, Stephens might have escaped with a caution for his actions. However, VAR is becoming increasingly vigilant in identifying incidents that require discipline, rather than solely focusing on the accuracy of refereeing decisions.

This new approach from VAR officials suggests that the system is indeed evolving and learning from past mistakes. A more proactive approach to discipline is desperately needed in the game, and VAR is well-placed to spearhead this change.

Another promising development for VAR is the fast-tracking of assistant referees into the video chair. Several assistant referees have been identified as possessing the skills and technical knowledge to excel as VAR officials, and their promotion could help streamline the decision-making process.

This new initiative is part of a broader push to increase VAR efficiency and reduce the VAR 'stops' during matches. With several high-profile referees having successfully made the transition to the VAR chair, the door is now open for their assistant colleagues to follow suit.

While VAR is often the subject of heated debate, it is undeniable that the system is undergoing significant improvements. As with any new technology or system, the teething problems experienced in the early days of VAR's implementation are slowly being ironed out, paving the way for a more efficient and accurate application of the rules.