Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played out an entertaining draw at Anfield, but Forest’s second goal sparked debate among supporters who believed there had been a foul throw during the build-up. An explanation has now clarified why the goal was allowed to stand.
Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are still waiting for their first Premier League victories with their respective new clubs after Liverpool and Nottingham Forest produced an action-packed contest at Anfield.
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Forest went ahead after 24 minutes when Dan Ndoye found the net. Liverpool eventually responded on the hour mark, with Alexander Isak converting Cody Gakpo’s well-placed cutback to bring the hosts level.
However, Forest regained the advantage 10 minutes later after Morgan Gibbs-White successfully converted from the penalty spot.
The penalty incident generated plenty of discussion because of what happened immediately beforehand. Liam Delap was accused of committing a foul throw before Neco Williams raced onto the ball. Alisson then brought down the Welsh defender, prompting referee Samuel Barrott to award a penalty.
No, foul throw from delap to begin with pic.twitter.com/dhRTYatlOv
— James Cave (@LordBossCavey94) August 29, 2026
A number of supporters questioned on social media why neither Barrott nor his assistant had spotted what appeared to be a foul throw. Television footage seemed to indicate that one of Delap’s feet lifted from the ground, something that would normally breach the IFAB Laws of the Game followed by the Premier League.
One fan wrote: “The ball is still in his hands here and you can already see his foot off the ground. VAR missed it; Lino missed it; what’s the difference? The officials missed it because they were too busy reading the instructions on how to use the subs board. Incompetent.”
Another supporter commented: “0 point in having laws around the throw-in if they’re just going to be ignored. Look at Delap’s back foot.”
A third fan said: “Nobody is talking of this foul throw-in by Delap. Delap did a pirouette mid-throw to get the ball over the defender. 100% failure from VAR to correct a clear and obvious error.”
Despite the criticism aimed at the officials, it appears the correct procedures were followed. Former Premier League referee and current journalist Graham Scott explained on X why VAR could not intervene in the situation.
Scott wrote: “A lot of comments that the VAR should intervene because it’s a foul throw. He can’t – the VAR protocol does not allow it. In any event, it appears the thrower’s foot only comes off the ground after release, which would make the throw-in legal. Whether it’s a pen is another matter.”
Liverpool eventually rescued a point eight minutes before full-time, with Victor Munoz producing a composed finish to make it 2-2.
Iraola was also frustrated by the delay caused by the fourth official when displaying the electronic substitution board. The Nottingham Forest boss claimed his team had been forced to wait around three minutes before making changes, shortly before Liverpool conceded the penalty.
“With the penalty, the situation has already finished when the contact appears. And it’s not an aggressive contact,” Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.
“But more than this, we complained about the subs. We had to wait about three minutes.
“He was having an issue with the board. I don’t know if it was not working, but we definitely wanted to do the subs the last two or three stoppages before the goal.
“It wasn’t just that reason, but everything helps.”
Iraola later told TNT Sports: “A professional fourth official cannot take three minutes. We’d already given him the subs two or three minutes before.
“I was already angry because in the previous stoppage we couldn’t make the subs, and then before throw-in I thought we could do it.
“I don’t know. They will have to explain it. But it has taken ages.”
Liverpool’s next match is scheduled for September 4, when they face Ipswich Town.
