Why Moises Caicedo was not sent off after VAR reviewed tackle on Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch

Moises Caicedo was not sent off during the Carabao Cup final despite injuring Ryan Gravenberch with a nasty tackle.

Liverpool midfielder Gravenberch had to be stretchered off the field when Chelsea star Caicedo caught him high on the ankle with his studs.

Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue after the Ecuadorian midfielder committed the foul, but play was soon stoped when Cody Gakpo was brought down.

The official did not show Chelsea's summer signing a yellow card, but a VAR check did take place as the challenge was late and high.

The VAR did not recommend that Caicedo be shown a red card because, according to the Liverpool Echo, the challenge was deemed to be reckless rather than serious foul play.

The VAR therefore saw no reason to intervene, meaning the on-field decision was allowed to stand.

There's a strong argument that Caicedo should have been booked, but the VAR does not have the power to bring back play to issue yellow cards.

As a result, Kavanagh's on-field decision not to book Caicedo stood, despite it being his second late challenge of the afternoon after a foul on Wataru Endo in the early exchanges

While providing commentary on the match for Sky Sports, former Premier League referee Mike Dean said: "I think he's caught his foot on his [Gravenberch's] foot.

"It's a bit like yesterday [Harry Maguire on Sasa Lukic], but not as severe, Chris [Kavanagh] has tried to play on, the second one it's not a foul.

"For me it could've been a caution, or come back to book him, it's the second foul from Caicedo so he's treading a fine line.

"I know the VAR can't inform the referee but tackles like that, he's seen a foul, tried to play on that's when you say to the referee: 'it's not serious foul play but it's a yellow card'. It is a yellow card offence, no doubt whatsoever."

The severity of Gravenberch's injury remains to be seen, with Liverpool already without Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Allison and Dominik Szoboszlai through injury.

Topics: Football, Carabao Cup, Liverpool, Chelsea, VAR, Injury, Moises Caicedo, Ryan Gravenberch, Jurgen Klopp

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton