Why wasn’t West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell sent off vs Liverpool? VAR reason revealed but Jurgen Klopp disagrees

Liverpool‘s remarkable unbeaten run came to an end as they suffered a 3-2 loss to West Ham on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side’s missed out on the chance of setting an all-time club record set by Bob Paisley’s team in 1982 of avoiding defeat in 26 matches.

The Reds were below their best in the capital, especially defensively.

They were vulnerable from set-pieces, with the Hammers scoring from two set-pieces via an Alisson Becker own goal and a Kurt Zouma header, while Pablo Fornals bagged on the counter-attack.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi were on target for Liverpool as they lost for the first time in the Premier League this season.

Why Cresswell stayed on the pitch

However, things could have been so different in the early stages of the game after Liverpool had fallen behind.

In the eighth minute, Aaron Cresswell avoided a red card for a high tackle on Jordan Henderson.

Referee Craig Pawson deemed the challenge as fair. And following a VAR review, the decision stood.

Via Sky Sports, VAR referee Stuart Attwell claimed Cresswell’s tackle did not have the required force, intensity or clear contact, which is why Pawson’s decision stood.

Klopp’s frustration

Klopp, however, was adamant Cresswell - who was released by Liverpool as a teenager - should have received his marching orders.

The Reds manager also felt goalkeeper Alisson was fouled by Angelo Ogbonna for West Ham’s opening goal.

Klopp said: “Aaron Cresswell’s was a reckless challenge on Jordan Henderson, even when he touched the ball before so you have to control your body.

“Two situations which were influential but West Ham did not make the decisions and they won the game.”

Carraagher in agreement

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also felt Cresswell was lucky to stay on the pitching.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “As soon as I saw the challenge I thought West Ham and Cresswell had got a problem when VAR look at it. We’ve spoken about a higher threshold in certain situations - but not for this one.

“That’s a tackle from my day. A tackle where you win the ball and you follow through. Cresswell was out of control and endangering the opponent. It’s a red card.

“The force was in the initial challenge. I can only think VAR have deemed that he hasn’t caught him hard enough, with the meat of his boot. But the force is certainly there.”