Ref Watch: Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty against Newcastle, says Dermot Gallagher

Liverpool must have been awarded a penalty when Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles pulled down Joel Matip, says Dermot Gallagher.
The Premier League referee yields with Ref Watch to have his say on some of this weekend’s incidents, including the potential penalty at Anfield.
Penalties for Manchester United and Watford will also be considered, and a bad game for Sheffield United, together with Gallagher giving his views…
INCIDENT: Lascelles pulled Matip to the ground near the far post with his arms around shoulders As Liverpool delivered an corner. Referee Andre Marriner waved the claims for a penalty off with nothing given through VAR.
The VERDICT: Wrong Choice of DERMOT.
DERMOT SAYS:”The positioning of referee Andre Marriner is where you’d expect him to be to get a corner. He didn’t believe there was enough touch, he can tell that. However, I think it was a punishment, others do not.
“It is more difficult for the assistant because he’s got a flat look at it. You would like to be looking on to observe the effect.
“When a subjective conclusion goes to VAR, then it has to fulfill their threshold. I can’t let you know what this is but it has not fulfilled it for overturning, so the assistant at Stockley Park can’t provide a penalty.”
INCIDENT: Watford were given a penalty in the 81st minute over on the line of the penalty area. Pereyra converted the spot kick to see Watford draw on level.
The VERDICT: Correct choice of DERMOT.
DERMOT SAYS:”It’s on the line and the line belongs to the playground so you would say it’s at least on the line and I’d say it’s surely from the box. It’s a penalty, he strikes and it is a foul. The key here was that the referee’s position. He up with drama, he is supporting them and he’s seen it. The helper will be in line and tell him it’s from the box.”
INCIDENT: Leicester shield Caglar Soyuncu bundled Marcus Rashford within the area, providing Manchester United an early penalty. After missing his last one, Rashford awakened and scored.
The VERDICT: Correct choice of DERMOT.
DERMOT SAYS:”I think it’s a punishment without uncertainty, but beforehand, the ball rolls down Andreas Pereira’s arm, but it doesn’t result in a goal or an immediate goalscoring opportunity. It is clearly handball and an accident can not be granted, although it is handball.
“But it follows and Soyuncu grabs Rashford, which is a punishment and the right decision is given. It proves that the forward isn’t always penalised.”
INCIDENT: Sheffield United had a goal disallowed in the second halfof the Oli McBurnie felt but John Egan was penalised for offside after a VAR review in the build-up.
The VERDICT decision of DERMOT.
DERMOT SAYS:”This is where VAR is absolutely brilliant since it’s nigh on impossible to a helper to see who began in an offside position, however the VAR explained it was Egan – which it was and that he clearly tried to head the ball past the goalkeeper.”
INCIDENT: as Billy Sharp captured Stuart Armstrong to the shins with his 25, Sheffield United were reduced to ten men in the 85th minute. After coming on as a substitute he was shown a straight red card.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Can comprehend why it was granted.
DERMOT SAYS:”The crucial issue here is the point of touch and where the chunk is. The ball has really gone beyond him, if you see it, he is too late and that I feel the referee has viewed that and seen serious foul play. It is also about the speed an intensity. The more intensely you’re going to strike on that player. I can fully understand why the referee has shipped him off.”