By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 21:20, 4 November 2025 | Updated: 21:20, 4 November 2025

Wayne Rooney and Co couldn't agree on if Liverpool should have been awarded a vital first-half penalty in their Champions League clash with Madrid.

The Reds thought they were about to be awarded a spot kick against their Spanish opponents when Aurelien Tchouameni handled the ball inside the penalty area after a strike from Dominic Szoboszlai.

Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was sent to the VAR monitor after initially giving a free kick, and Anfield waited in anticipation and expectation of a penalty. When the official blew his whistle, however, he in fact changed his mind on the handball entirely.

Instead, he adjudged that there was no handball offence at all, and instead gave a drop ball to Madrid.

Despite the controversial call, Manchester United legend Rooney welcomed the decision, praising VAR for helping with the call.

'This is why we wanted VAR,' Rooney said on Amazon Prime. 'It's brilliant.

'We can all see why the ref gave a pen,...