Premier League issue statement on Liverpool penalty controversy vs Southampton

Adam Armstrong got Southampton level after Tyler Dibling was fouled by Andy Robertson, with VAR replays suggesting the offence may have occurred just outside the penalty area

The Premier League have confirmed Southampton's controversial penalty against Liverpool was given because there was "no conclusive evidence" of contact outside the area.

Liverpool got off to a great start against the Saints as Dominik Szoboszlai put the Reds into the lead after the home side made a huge error while playing out from the back but Adam Armstrong got Southampton level from the spot.

It came after Tyler Dibling was fouled by Andy Robertson - but VAR replays suggested it may have occurred just outside the area.

The Premier League clarified the incident in a statement: "The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Robertson on Dibling is checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was no conclusive evidence that the contact occurred outside the penalty area."

Pundit Jamie Redknapp said he was on the fence about whether or not it was a penalty, adding it was "debatable" but insisted Liverpool only had themselves to blame.

"The last player you want running at you is Tyler Dibling," he said on Sky Sports. "Andy Robertson gets his foot pattern wrong. Is it a penalty? It's debatable.

"It's hard to overturn, it's 100 per cent a foul and he gets so lucky Armstrong. He manages to just get it through his legs. It was self inflicted by Liverpool."

Many fans disagreed with the decision as they vented their frustration Michael Oliver on VAR for not awarding a free kick instead.

"That happened outside the penalty box," wrote one fan. "It's clearly a free kick, What the hell is wrong with VAR in the EPL?"

Another fumed: "At this point, I’m convinced @FA_PGMOL has no interest in making officiating any better. Lack of accountability and too much protection of the officials is making them give everyone a middle finger. How’s that even a penalty?"

One fan admitted it was a foul but said it was never a penalty, adding: "Was that a foul? Yes Did Robbo need to make that challenge? No Either way it's out the box so how is it a penalty."

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