Why Oliver Skipp escaped a VAR penalty for a tackle on Liverpool winger Luis Diaz

Liverpool fans were furious after Luis Diaz was injured by overblown challenge from Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp

Oliver Skipp was not penalized for a tackle that injured Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, as VAR officials believed the ball had been won by the Tottenham midfielder.

Skipp caught Diaz on the shin with a late, spiked challenge in the 34th minute of the match at Anfield, leaving the winger writhing on the turf in agony.

But after a stoppage in play for Diaz to receive treatment, no free kicks were awarded to Liverpool, nor was Skipp penalized with a yellow or, as many Reds fans thought deservedly, a red card.

ECHO learned that VAR officials believed that Skipp had “obviously” received the ball and that the final contact was simply the result of the two players fighting for the ball.

Liverpool led 3–0 at the time after goals from Curtis Jones, Diaz and Mohamed Salah within 15 minutes of the first half. Harry Kane would have retired late to give hope to Spurs.