Liverpool’s 2–0 victory over Brighton at Anfield on Saturday delivered plenty of positives on the pitch, but it also reignited debate over refereeing standards after a contentious moment just before half-time.The Reds secured all three points thanks to a brace from Hugo Ekitike, while Mohamed Salah’s introduction was met with a thunderous reception from the home crowd, who also voiced their support for head coach Arne Slot. Yet despite the feel-good atmosphere, one incident left many inside Anfield frustrated.Shortly before the interval, Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez lunged into Florian Wirtz with a high, straight-legged challenge that made contact with the German’s chest. The ball was long gone, and although VAR reviewed the incident, referee Craig Pawson stuck with his original decision to issue only a yellow card.—Gallagher: “That’s a Red Card”Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher revisited the flashpoint on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch and was clear in his assessment. He felt Gomez was fortunate to escape a sending-off.Gallagher argued that the position of the ball was crucial, noting that Gomez had no realistic chance of winning it. He described the challenge as both high and dangerous, insisting that the absence of any genuine attempt to play the ball made the yellow card insufficient punishment.—Bothroyd Also Puzzled by the CallJay Bothroyd echoed Gallagher’s view, pointing out that Pawson had an excellent line of sight. From his angle, the referee could clearly see Gomez’s studs and where they landed on Wirtz’s body.Bothroyd questioned how both the on-field official and VAR concluded the incident merited only a booking, likening it to infamous high-profile challenges of the past and suggesting it stemmed from frustration rather than a legitimate attempt to play football.—Liverpool Left Feeling AggrievedWhen a former top-flight referee speaks so definitively, it strengthens the sense that Liverpool were hard done by. Wirtz had already released the ball well before the contact, and the nature of the challenge carried obvious risk.The confusion was compounded later in the match when Ibrahima Konaté was cautioned for a far less severe infringement, highlighting the inconsistency that continues to anger supporters across the game.Fortunately for Liverpool, Wirtz was able to continue and deliver another assured display, and the Reds went on to secure victory against a resilient Brighton side. Still, the result does little to excuse what many see as a glaring officiating error—one that, on a different day, could have significantly altered the outcome.