Brighton’s Pascal Gross should have been sent off for bringing down Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai and giving away a penalty, fans have claimed – using IFAB laws.

The German pulled down Szoboszlai in the area with the scores at 1-1, with referee Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot.

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To give Jurgen Klopp’s team the lead, Mohamed Salah converted the penalty kick into the bottom corner and beyond Bart Verbruggen.

Gross did not, however, get a warning or a dismissal for the event. To the pleasure of Reds supporters, it was verified and approved by VAR.

Given that Gross virtually prevented Liverpool’s number eight from having a chance to score, some people questioned the official’s judgment.

And This Is Anfield writer Jack Lusby posted a screenshot of the updated IFAB laws to X (Twitter).

According to the letter of the law, Pascal Gross should have received a red card as there was no attempt to play the ball

The law states that a player should be cautioned if they commit an offence where they made ‘an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball’.

In all other circumstances, the player should receive a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

A double jeopardy law exists where referees do not show a red card to a player after giving away a penalty – but only if they have made a clear and genuine challenge for the ball.

And Liverpool fans are arguing that Gross made no attempt to play the ball in bringing down Szoboszlai – and should have been sent off as a result.

Taking to X (Twitter), one wrote: “Denial of goalscoring opportunity with no effort to get the ball. Clear red card.”

Another said: “I get the double jeopardy rule but the player didn’t play any attempt to win the ball.”

A third added: “How has Gross not been sent off for that?! Clearly stopped Szoboszlai scoring.”

According to the Liverpool Echo, VAR officials did not see Szoboszlai’s chance as a ‘clear goalscoring opportunity’ – although no official comment has yet been made by PGMOL, the refereeing body.

Either way, the debate will surely rumble on.

What are your thoughts on the referee’s decision? Let us know in the comments.