Liverpool endured a frustrating first half against Arsenal, where they saw not one but two penalty appeals be turned down

Gary Neville believes the referee and VAR were correct to not give Liverpool a penalty for Cody Gakpo's collision with Arsenal forward Christos Tzolis - but he believes the officials did miss a clear penalty.

In the first half, Liverpool trailed the Gunners 1-0 after Kai Havertz put the finishing touch on a fine Arsenal move. The Merseysiders immediately looked to hit back and thought they were going to have a penalty when Tzolis appeared to impede Gakpo in the penalty area.

Referee Andy Madley was instructed to halt the game as VAR looked at the incident, but he was not told to consult the pitch-side monitor. After Liverpool's penalty appeals were waved away, Neville offered his immediate VAR verdict.

On Sky Sports, he said: "It was clumsy from Tzolis. I don't think Gakpo would've got there. He was well ahead of him. There's not enough in it. Gakpo knows he's not going to get there so he goes down."

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Nevertheless, there was another moment where Neville felt Liverpool deserved a penalty. Bradley Barcola delivered an in-swinging delivery which evaded everyone in the danger zone and narrowly sailed past the far upright.

As Alexander Isak surged into the penalty area, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber latched onto his shirt and hauled him back. Remarkably, the Swedish striker didn't even raise a complaint about the incident despite being clearly impeded with Reds boss Andoni Iraola left fuming on the touchline.

Neville was adamant this should have been a penalty and couldn't hide his astonishment that Isak failed to appeal. He added: "I was really surprised Isak did not make more of it because it was right in my eyeline.

"I saw it in real time and it's a clear pull. Why is he not shouting and screaming? He's almost laughing with Timber over it.

"He should be absolutely fuming, and going crazy, and trying to get the referee's attention."

Neville also added: "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."

At half-time, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was also furious with the decision. He said: "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."