Paul Merson FURIOUSLY hits out at Richarlison’s VAR attempt of ROBBERY which shows his Hatred for SPURS to try Derail their Chances of Surviving relegation — What he said will leave you Speechless

Former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has backed the referee and VAR officials for not sending off Virgil van Dijk or awarding a penalty following a controversial challenge on Richarlison during the fiercely contested 1–1 draw between Liverpool F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. at Anfield.

The Premier League encounter was packed with drama as Spurs battled back to secure a crucial point. Liverpool had taken the lead in the first half through a superb free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, but Tottenham refused to fold and were rewarded when Richarlison struck a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute to seal a 1–1 draw.

However, one of the game’s biggest talking points arrived in the 55th minute, when Liverpool captain Van Dijk clashed with Richarlison inside the penalty area. Tottenham players appealed furiously for a red card and a penalty, believing the Dutch defender’s challenge was reckless and denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. The referee waved play on, and a subsequent VAR review upheld the decision.

Speaking after the match, Merson insisted the officials made the correct call, arguing that the incident did not meet the threshold for violent conduct or a clear penalty.

According to the former England international, the contact appeared to be part of a physical battle between two players competing for position rather than a deliberate act worthy of dismissal. Merson also stressed that VAR is designed to intervene only for clear and obvious errors, something he believes was not present in this case.

“The defender is entitled to challenge for the ball,” Merson explained, noting that while the collision looked dramatic in real time, slow-motion replays suggested there was insufficient force or intent to justify a red card.

The incident sparked heated debate among fans and pundits, but the match ultimately swung on late drama rather than refereeing decisions. Liverpool looked on course to claim all three points after Szoboszlai’s first-half strike, yet Tottenham’s persistence paid off when Richarlison struck at the death to rescue a valuable point for Igor Tudor’s side.

The result proved significant for Spurs, who remain locked in a tense relegation battle but showed resilience at one of the league’s toughest venues. Meanwhile, Liverpool were left frustrated after dropping points in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

While the debate over the Van Dijk–Richarlison flashpoint will continue, Merson’s stance reflects a growing view among some pundits that VAR was right to avoid over-officiating a physical contest, allowing the match to be decided by the players rather than the technology.