Why Liverpool Were Not Awarded a Penalty After Yarmolyuk’s Red Card

Liverpool Denied Penalty Despite Yarmolyuk’s Red Card Against Brentford

Liverpool were involved in a dramatic incident during their Premier League meeting with Brentford after midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk was sent off for headbutting Reds defender Jérémy Jacquet.

The incident occurred during first-half stoppage time at the Gtech Community Stadium, with both teams preparing for a Liverpool corner.

As players jostled for position inside the penalty area, Yarmolyuk appeared to move his head towards Jacquet, who went to ground holding his face.

The referee initially missed the incident, but VAR intervened and instructed John Brooks to review the footage on the pitchside monitor.

After watching the replay, Brooks decided that the Brentford midfielder had committed violent conduct and showed him a straight red card.

However, despite the incident taking place inside Brentford’s penalty area, Liverpool were not awarded a penalty.

Why Liverpool Did Not Get a Penalty

The explanation was that the ball was not in play when the incident occurred.

Liverpool were preparing to take a corner, but the kick had not yet been taken. Under the Laws of the Game, a penalty cannot be awarded for an offence committed while the ball is out of play.

Consequently, the referee sent Yarmolyuk off for violent conduct but restarted the match with the original Liverpool corner.

The decision followed another controversial VAR moment earlier in the first half, when Liverpool had a penalty decision overturned after a review of a challenge involving Alexis Mac Allister and Brentford’s Dango Ouattara.

Brentford Take the Lead Before Liverpool Fight Back

Before Yarmolyuk’s dismissal, Brentford had taken the lead through Keane Lewis-Potter, who scored shortly before half-time.

The red card left the hosts with ten players for the second half, giving Liverpool an opportunity to take control of the contest.

Liverpool eventually turned the game around, with Victor Muñoz equalising before Alexander Isak scored the decisive goal to secure a 2–1 victory.

Brentford’s difficulties continued late in the match when Vitaly Janelt was also sent off, leaving the hosts with nine players.

Final Verdict

Although Liverpool supporters may have felt they deserved a penalty, the decision not to award one was consistent with the rules because the ball was out of play when the headbutt occurred.

The referee was therefore able to punish Yarmolyuk for violent conduct without awarding Liverpool a spot kick.