Five reasons why Alexis Mac Allister’s handball was a “terrible decision” are listed by a VAR specialist.

The decision by VAR to reverse Jarell Quansah’s late equalizer for Liverpool left football fans perplexed. A VAR expert criticized the ruling but clarified why it was upheld.

A VAR expert has slammed the ‘terrible decision’ that led to Liverpool’s late equaliser being chalked off for a handball on Alexis Mac Allister.

Jarell Quansah thought he had secured the Reds a point on Thursday evening, having been 3-1 down to Toulouse at one point, in the 97th minute.

However, after a lengthy check, it was deemed that Mac Allister handled the ball in the build-up.

Dale Johnson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “So many reasons why Mac Allister handball is a terrible VAR decision:

Arm close to body, being withdrawn not moved to ball, high on arm, not deliberate, way back in play.”

However, Johnson then pointed out why the goal was allowed to stand, and why it wouldn’t in the Premier League.

He added: “But this is UEFA, with goals disallowed for any handball in attack phase.”

UEFA rules state that any handball during an attack will result in the goal being chalked off.

UEFA Football Board put to UEFA that a handball that was a result of a deflection of the same player shouldn’t count – but it is not an official law.

Jurgen Klopp was unhappy with the decision in his post-match press conference:

“I only saw the video back and for me, it’s not a handball, but how can I decide that?

“Yes, the ball goes to the chest and I don’t see contact with the arm, to be honest.

Maybe they had a different picture than I had. It’s pretty long ago before we score the goal, [I was thinking] ‘where’s the free-kick?’

“That’s interesting, we could talk about that.

I heard, I didn’t see it, that there could have been a penalty for us in another situation, I don’t know.”

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Alexis Mac Allister admits he’s become really close with £50m Liverpool player

Alexis Mac Allister has admitted that he and Luis Diaz have become great friends at Liverpool.

Mac Allister joined the Reds from Brighton this summer, and has quickly forged a close relationship with fellow South Americans Diaz and Darwin Nunez.

Of course, Diaz has been going through a terrible ordeal recently, with his father kidnapped in his native Colombia.

Thankfully though, Lucho’s nightmare is at an end, with his Dad safely released and reunited with his family yesterday.

Speaking about that incident to LFCTV after yesterday’s loss against Toulouse, Mac Allister praised Diaz’s response to such a serious issue.

“Amazing news, we are so happy,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s a moment he’s been waiting for for a couple of days or weeks.

He found out before the game started, he is so happy and we are so happy for him because he went through a really bad situation but he’s a very mature guy and he dealt with it very well.

“That shows how strong he is, he’s got his family behind and he’s still here with us. I’m very glad for him, he’s an amazing guy. I’m very close to him and it’s good news not just for him but for everyone.”

Mac Allister salutes Diaz friendship

Throughout this terrible episode for Diaz, it must have been so important to have good friends around him in Liverpool.

Unable to go home to his family in Colombia, the £50m man must have been driving himself crazy being so far away.

Thankfully, Diaz has a slice of home right here in Liverpool.

There may be some cultural differences between them, but it’s amazing just how quickly the Reds’ South Americans have become so close.

On matchdays and during training they’re rarely pictured without each other.

For Mac Allister as well that’s nice to have. With no former teammates or international colleagues at Liverpool, the World Cup winner could easily have struggled to fit in.

Seemingly quiet and humble, Mac Allister could have been in danger of sinking in a strong dressing room.

As a result, it’s lucky that he now has Lucho and Darwin – as well as Alisson Becker – for company.

Nunez was spotted teasing Alexis for his haircut earlier this week. There’s clearly a lot of love between them.

Now that Diaz can put this nightmare behind him, hopefully feeling comfortable and happy can help him rediscover his best form.