Both Alan Shearer and Gary Linker questioned the decision to award Liverpool a penalty during their 3-1 win at Selhurst Park over a Crystal Palace side that were valiant in defeat.
The duo of ex-England internationals and former goal-getters were both firm in their stance that official Kevin Friend should not have pointed to the spot after Eagles goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was adjudged to have fouled Diogo Jota.
After the incident was the subject of a lengthy VAR review, Friend all but ended the tie as a contest given the penalty was awarded late on while the score was 2-1 to Liverpool.
Shearer took to Twitter to bemoan the call, writing: "Joke decision VAR. Never a pen,", before continuing to take aim at both Friend and VAR official Craig Pawson.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Did Liverpool deserve a penalty late on against Crystal Palace? Comment below
The former Newcastle United striker added: "Meant to be two experienced refs making that decision. It’s never ever a pen."
The Premier League's record goal-scorer continued making his feelings clear during his post-match punditry duties with Premier League Productions.
"So Craig Pawson on VAR thinks that is a howler from Kevin Friend? He thinks that is such a clear and obvious error, I'm going to recommend you go to the screen and review your decision," he ranted.
"Then, Kevin Friend hasn't got the courage to stand by his original decision and say 'you know what, I'm not going to listen to you, I'm going to stand by my original decision."
His sentiments were echoed by fellow Match of the Day pundit Lineker, who claimed: "That Is Not A Penalty. Never in a million years," before writing in a second tweet: "That is a genuinely appalling decision."
Another former Premier League striker in Glenn Murray also berated the decision, suggesting Jota's own momentum caused the clash.
"I feel as though Diogo Jota goes to finish the chance, but he completely misses the ball and the momentum takes him towards Vicente Guaita with the ball then running out of play," he told BBC 5 Live.
"I can't understand how Kevin Friend gets called over to the monitor let alone gives the penalty decision.
"For me it spoiled a really good game of football but ultimately Liverpool controlled large parts of the game and deserved the result on the back of that."
Palace gave an incredibly good account of themselves in the wake of the defeat as they have so many times under Patrick Vieira and spent much of the second-half threatening.
Odsonne Edouard gave the home faithful some hope after pulling one back following Liverpool goals from Virgil van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The spot-kick, which was converted by Fabinho, came at a devastating time for the hosts who were just building some momentum of their own and forcing Reds 'keeper Alisson Becker into a number of fine stops.
Following the full-time whistle, even Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher conceded his old team benefited from some questionable refereeing.
The Anfield legend wrote on Twitter: "Great game, both teams brilliant & awful through the 90 mins! Big 3 points for LFC, never a pen!"
The result leaves Liverpool second in the table, nine points behind league-leaders Manchester City who have played a game more.
