Crystal Palace are denied a penalty against Liverpool as VAR check lasting over THREE MINUTES rules Will Hughes fouled Wataru Endo to spare Virgil van Dijk’s blushes

Crystal Palace were denied a penalty against Liverpool in their match at Selhurst Park on Saturday after a VAR replay ruled out the penalty following a check that lasted more than three minutes.

Liverpool went on to win the match 2–1, but earlier a penalty was initially awarded after Reds captain Virgil van Dijk fouled Odsonne Edouard in the penalty area, with referee Andy Madley immediately blowing his whistle for the foul.

Van Dijk was shown a yellow card after replays showed the Liverpool defender had made definitive contact with the Palace striker, before it was checked whether Will Hughes had fouled Wataru Endo in the build-up.

Madley was instructed by VAR official John Brooks to watch the decision on an on-field monitor, with control then replaying the incident from different angles and speeds.

Ultimately, it was correctly ruled that Hughes had fouled Endo when he forcefully ran into the Liverpool midfielder's back to win the ball back, and the penalty decision was overturned.

Crystal Palace was denied a penalty against Liverpool on Saturday after Will Hughes (center left) allegedly committed a foul in the build-up

Palace were initially awarded a free kick after Virgil van Dijk fouled Odsonne Edouard in the penalty area

Van Dijk's yellow card was then overturned and the visitors were awarded a free kick instead with the match still goalless.

Palace took the lead in the second half through Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty, before Jordan Ayew was sent off. Liverpool then took the lead through Salah's 200th goal before Harvey Elliott scored an injury-time winner.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand agreed with the decision to cancel Palace's penalty and insisted Hughes was too aggressive when trying to win back possession for his side.

“It took a while, but in the end it was the right result,” he told TNT Sports.

'Free-kick, aggressive yes and Roy Hodgson will want that, Will Hughes was aggressive but beyond the goal line. After seeing it and reviewing it, it was the right decision.

'They (Palace) have had the best chances so far and had the best chance, with Alisson making a great save. “Liverpool need to have a bit more potential up front to create chances, but Palace will be the happier team at the moment,” he said.

However, some Palace supporters were unhappy with the decision which prevented them from having a brilliant opportunity to open the fire from 12 yards.

One viewer who responded on Twitter said: 'So Van Dijk doesn't get a blatant yellow card, Endo doesn't get punished for grabbing the ball before the referee fouls, and we don't get a penalty. Imagine my shock if a decision goes in Liverpool's favour.'

Referee Bobby Madley assessed the incident on a monitor on the field, with the VAR check taking more than three minutes

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo was deemed to have made a mistake in the build-up to the penalty

Another added: 'Palace score But VAR thinks the referee missed a previous foul. So no fine. Personally I think this is harsh for Palace.'

A third Palace supporter who felt the decision was harsh said: 'VAR looking for a foul leading to a goal/penalty is ridiculous. Leave that to the on-field umpire to decide.”

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch believes it was the right decision but felt VAR tried to influence Madley to deny Palace a penalty.

'At no point did he (Madley) think it was a foul, I think the VAR convinced him it was a foul. I think in the end we made the right decision.”