Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in round 7, maintaining their lead in the Premier League standings with 18 points, just one point ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal.

The match featured a controversial moment when Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk appeared to pull Marc Guehi’s arm in the penalty area, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded a penalty to Crystal Palace.

VAR determined that “the contact between Virgil van Dijk and Marc Guehi did not last long enough to warrant a penalty” in favor of Crystal Palace during Liverpool’s win at Selhurst Park.

The Premier League swiftly explained why no penalty was given late in the game.

Van Dijk, Liverpool’s Dutch defender, was seen pulling Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in the box, but after a review by video assistant referee David Coote, it was concluded there was no foul.

Diogo Jota’s early goal proved decisive, securing all three points for Liverpool. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was visibly frustrated on the sidelines when Guehi went down in the 71st minute, and referee Simon Hooper chose not to award a penalty.

The Premier League’s social media accounts quickly clarified the decision: “The referee’s decision not to give a penalty for Van Dijk’s challenge on Guehi was reviewed and confirmed by VAR. The hand-pulling was not sustained long enough to impact play,” explained the Premier League’s statement on the matter.