Rio Ferdinand ‘cannot believe’ decision to overlook Darwin Nunez penalty claim in Liverpool’s tie with RB Leipzig

Dariwn Nunez and Liverpool were denied a penalty in their UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

With Liverpool already a goal to the good thanks to Nunez’s first-half tap-in from Mohamed Salah’s cross, the striker was tripped by RB Leipzig captain Willi Orban when chasing the ball down.

Referee Sandro Scharer initially pointed for a goal kick and waved at the Uruguayan to get back to his feet, despite strong calls for a spot kick from Liverpool.

The incident went to the video assistant referee (VAR), who swiftly came to the conclusion that no further action was needed and the on-field decision stood.

“I must admit, my initial thought was that it was clumsy from the Leipzig captain,” commentator Darren Fletcher admitted seconds after the incident on TNT Sports. 

“The referee was in a good position… They are checking it, the video assistant [referee] is having a look. He can’t believe it, Darwin Nunez!”

Co-commentator Lucy Ward complimented Nunez’s work rate, as the striker forced the Leipzig defender into a difficult decision deep into Peter Gulacsi’s penalty area.

“Do you know what? The sheer determination from Darwin Nunez to make that be a decision for VAR,” she said. 

“The pace that he uses, look at that determination. He knows if he can get something on it then he might get clipped, and that’s exactly what happened. 

“He’s not in control there, Orban, he wasn’t sure. Orban had no idea Nunez was coming that quick.”

“Check over!” a shocked Fletcher added. “But he’s certainly got there, Orban! Are they making the adjudication that he wouldn’t have got to the ball anyway, maybe? 

“It’s certainly something for Rio [Ferdinand], Steve [McManaman] and Laura [Woods] to take a closer look at at half-time.”

And that is exactly what the trio did, with 2008 Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand still perplexed at the decision 20 minutes later.

“This is definitely a penalty,” the former Manchester United defender exclaimed in the TNT Sports studio. “I don’t know how VAR have looked at this and said ‘No, play on’. I do not know! 

“When you see this in slow-mo… VAR would have seen that angle and they’ve said no! I cannot believe it!”