Chelsea have been informed that a combination of VAR and referee John Brooks made all of the key decisions as Enzo Maresca’s team lost 2-1 to Liverpool on Sunday. After a heated first half marked by red cards and penalties, Curtis Jones’ goal separated the two teams. Nicolas Jackson responded quickly after the break, with his strike initially called for offside before being overturned, but parity only lasted a few minutes. Jones tapped past Rob Sanchez, and Liverpool held on, with Chelsea managing only two efforts on target throughout the game.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, questioned the decision to wave play on after a tangle of legs between Jadon Sancho and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool box. Gallagher believes the decision was correct, stating, “I didn’t think it was a foul, I just didn’t think it was a foul, I would be very, very surprised.”

In the match against Liverpool, Jones was awarded a penalty after colliding with Sanchez. VAR was used to analyze the incident, but no punishment was given. Gallagher defended the use of VAR, saying, “I think it’s a good intervention.”

n Share Bookmark Liverpool vs Chelsea referee John Brooks Chelsea players appeal against referee John Brooks giving a penalty (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Chelsea have been told that a mixture of VAR and referee John Brooks got all the big decisions correct as Enzo Maresca’s side went down 2-1 to Liverpool on Sunday. After a contentious first half with checks for red cards and penalties, Curtis Jones’ goal separated the two teams. Nicolas Jackson had hit back immediately after the break – with his strike initially disallowed for offside before being overturned – but parity lasted a matter of minutes. Jones slotted past Rob Sanchez and Liverpool held on with Chelsea only managing two shots on target all game. The worst enemy of joint

“I didn’t think it was a foul, I just didn’t think it was a foul,” according to him. “Both players are tangled, I would be very, very surprised if that was given as a penalty.” What about the other talking points? Despite Levi Colwill’s protestations, his foul on Jones resulted in only one outcome. “I think it’s a penalty, he doesn’t get the ball, he catches him across the shin,” replied Gallagher. “The referee has a fantastic view of this; he’s set the groundwork, he has the perspective, and he awards a penalty. Look at his [Colwill’s] face; he understands what he has done.”