Right-back for Newcastle United The EFL has officially disclosed why the Reds were not given a penalty when Kieran Trippier controversially left the game unharmed following what seemed to be a handball in the first half of their Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
With the score tied at 0-0, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and the previously mentioned Trippier were both assessing the ball’s flight just before the 40-minute mark as the Reds attempted to attack the Magpies’ goal. That’s when the debate started.
The looping ball was superbly pulled down by the former Tottenham Hotspur defender before it bounced up and appeared to strike his hand. Referee John Brooks was promptly alerted by Diaz and Andy Robertson, but the Premier League table-toppers were not awarded a penalty kick.
Obvious hand ball not given.
Kieran Trippier’s hand takes the ball out of the path of Luis Diaz in the box.
Should have been a penalty. pic.twitter.com/qtFSNEqZ3T
— Imani: That Good Craic (@imanilfc) March 16, 2025
Trippier, who is considered to be among the Premier League’s top right-backs at the moment, spent a lot of time attempting to persuade Brooks, the man in the middle, that it was not a purposeful move after being checked and verified by the VAR room.
Following VAR’s unequivocal confirmation that Trippier’s arm was in a natural posture and that the right-back had no intention of striking the ball with his hand, EFL communications took to X (previously Twitter) to request that play resume as usual.
Trippier’s arm was judged to be in an expected position with no obvious or intentional action towards the ball, hence VAR verified the referee’s decision that there was no penalty for handball.
The referee’s call of no penalty for handball by Trippier was checked and confirmed by VAR – with his arm deemed to be in an expected position with no clear or deliberate action towards the ball.
#LIVNEW – 40’
The referee’s call of no penalty for handball by Trippier was checked and confirmed by VAR – with his arm deemed to be in an expected position with no clear or deliberate action towards the ball.#EFL | #CarabaoCup
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) March 16, 2025
Perhaps surprisingly, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who was providing commentary for the thrilling match at Wembley, concurred with referee Brooks’ conclusion that Trippier’s handball offence was not clear and evident at the half.
The improbable Dan Burn opened the score a few moments later. Burn’s massive 6-foot-7 bulk was too strong for Alexis Mac Allister to handle for the whole first half due to a severe mismatch in marking, and Arne Slot paid the price by nodding home the first goal.
In the 53rd minute, Newcastle’s lead was extended by the inevitable Alexander Isak. The powerful Swede, who is considered by many to be among the top attackers in global football, was there to add the cherry on top with a close-range volley past Caoimhin Kelleher.
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