VAR fails to disallow Liverpool goal vs Leeds as clear Trent Alexander-Arnold handball was "too far back"

Liverpool's opener against Leeds was shrouded in controversy as Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to handle the ball in the build-up.

Junior Firpo was guilty of giving the ball away in a dangerous area and conceded possession to Alexander-Arnold, who played a one-two with Mo Salah before putting it on a plate for Cody Gakpo to tap home.

But Firpo immediately appealed for handball against Alexander-Arnold, who did look like he raised his arm to win the ball back.

VAR looked at the situation but bizarrely, it was decided that the offence was too far back to have a significant bearing.

This was despite there being just two passes in around six seconds of playing time.

Naturally, it resulted in absolute uproar amongst fans on social media.

One was in disbelief, writing: "There’s no way VAR hasn’t disallowed that?? How is it too far back, it’s literally two passes??

A second agreed: "Baffled as to why VAR ‘can’t go that far back’ to check Trent’s OBVIOUS handball that won Liverpool the ball back that then led to their goal. Horrendous rule.

Another was furious with the call, adding: "How isn't that a VAR disallowed goal? Clearly moves his elbow to the ball, and leads to a 2 pass goal. How can that be called too far back to affect the play/goal? Absolute joke."

A fourth commented: "VAR a mess if the player who makes the assist has won possession through a deliberate handball, but VAR rules that handball is 'too far back' in the move to have affected the goal."

A fifth opined: "Ridiculous these VAR rules now, it’s the most blatant handball ever to win the ball back and they say it’s far enough back not to affect the run of play."

Liverpool doubled their lead mere moments later as Diogo Jota played in Salah, who provided an emphatic finish before half-time for his 14th goal of the season in the Premier League.

Luis Sinisterra pulled one back for the hosts just after half-time but Liverpool restored their two-goal lead straight away through Jota.

Salah notched his second and Liverpool's fourth and then Jota joined his teammate in bagging a double. Darwin Nunez completed the scoring after another gorgeous Alexander-Arnold assist.

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