Kai Havertz's early strike secured Arsenal a historic 1-0 victory at Anfield — their first win there in 14 years — but two major VAR flashpoints dominated the post-match conversation from Sunday's Premier League encounter.

Isak's shirt pull goes unpunished

In the first half, Jurrien Timber clearly pulled Alexander Isak's shirt as the Liverpool striker prepared to attack the ball around seven yards from goal. No on-field official flagged the offence, and VAR declined to intervene — a decision that drew immediate criticism from pundits in the Sky Sports studio.

Jamie Carragher was blunt: "One of the best goalscorers in the league is pulled back seven yards out and it stops him heading the ball — why does he need to make a meal of it? VAR, do your job."

Ian Wright agreed, arguing Isak should not have been expected to exaggerate the contact: "He shouldn't have to make more of it. We can see it. VAR is wrong in this instance."

Gary Neville noted the unusual nature of Isak's reaction: "It's actually unnatural not to make more of it. When you get pulled and you're just about to score, you ordinarily complain like crazy. It's a very odd reaction from Isak."

Daniel Sturridge echoed the sentiment: "He has not fallen over. You're supposed to fall over, put your arms in the air and show the referee you're mad about it. But they've not done their job — clearly he shouldn't have to make more of it."

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was unequivocal: "The Isak one is a clear penalty. We can all see that he holds the shirt. If Isak goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100 per cent." Asked whether he would instruct Isak to go down in future, Iraola replied: "Yes, definitely."

Virgil van Dijk questioned why any theatrics were necessary at all: "There are 50 cameras — even more. Why does he have to complain when there are so many cameras? It was spotted because everyone's seen it. In the end, it wasn't given and we lose the game, so well done to Arsenal."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he had not yet watched the incident back and offered no further comment.

Madueke and Mac Allister's flashpoint — VAR gets it right

Late in the second half, a confrontation between Noni Madueke and Alexis Mac Allister produced a contrasting VAR moment. Mac Allister went to the ground clutching his face after his forehead made contact with Madueke's. VAR reviewed the incident and, crucially, did not send off the Arsenal winger. Instead, Mac Allister received a yellow card — a decision the pundits largely backed.

The incident originated after Mac Allister fouled Martin Odegaard and then slapped the Arsenal captain on the back of the head as he walked away.

Carragher, despite supporting Liverpool, praised the VAR decision: "I want Liverpool to win, but I'm delighted he didn't get sent off. As a game, call your own people out on it — it's a joke from Mac Allister. If someone puts their head back and butts, then red card. But if it's head-to-head and they touch, and one goes down, the player should not get sent off."

Neville was equally critical of Mac Allister's reaction: "Get up. Embarrassing. Well done to VAR because they recognised that Mac Allister going down is embarrassing."

Sturridge framed it as a cynical tactic rather than a genuine foul: "He doesn't headbutt him with any force. It's a coming together. He tried to bait a man into something and it didn't work out for him."

Wright called for the laws of the game to address such behaviour: "The laws have to do something about this. Common sense prevailed — Madueke didn't push his head into him; he just confronted him, and Mac Allister tried to take advantage."