Brighton coach gives honest verdict on penalty and VAR controversy against Liverpool

Brighton boss Graham Potter has expressed his sympathy for Jurgen Klopp after the latest controversy over Liverpool’s VAR.

The Reds drew 1-1 after late drama in the Premier League on the South Coast on Saturday.

Pascal Gross converted a penalty in stoppage time for the Seagulls after Andy Robertson was found guilty of catching Danny Welbeck.

Referee Stuart Attwell had given the penalty after VAR Kevin Friend advised him to consult the pitch monitor, who initially ignored the incident.

Liverpool had already seen two goals scored in chalk by VAR, the most controversial when Mohamed Salah was considered offside by the narrowest margin in the first half.

Klopp showed an unhappy figure after the final whistle and was deep in conversation with Attwell as the teams left the field.

And his Brighton counterpart, Potter, said: “I’d say it wasn’t the most blocked penalty I’ve seen.

“Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t.

“It is a beautiful part of football that we will always debate the decisions of the referees and the decisions of the linesman.

“You need the margins to continue your way in the Premier League and clearly today they left for us.

“At the same time, I thought that our performance levels were really good and that we deserved something from the game.

“As the clock ticked, I was worried, but I knew we would keep pushing until the end.”

Potter added: “It’s not nice when it doesn’t turn out your way, I’m not going to lie.

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“I’ve been on the receiving end myself when you’re scratching your head a bit.

“It will always be there. Whether it’s VAR, referees or linesmen, it’s part of the game.

“It’s frustrating when it’s not your day and when it is, you have to be thankful.”