The Professional Game Match Officials Board, the body responsible for match officials in English football, has reportedly said there would have been "no complaints" from them had Everton been awarded a penalty in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Liverpool eventually ran out 2-0 winners after goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi, although at 0-0 Anthony Gordon was denied a penalty after he was seemingly felled in the area by Joel Matip.
Despite the nature of the challenge, VAR did not deem it suitable for review and the play continued.
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Richard Keys, who was part of the beIN Sports broadcast team, said on Twitter that they had contacted PGMOL about the decision.
"PGMOL tell us that that they would’ve had ‘no complaints’ had [Stuart] Attwell given Everton a penalty Anfield Rd end," he said. "So my question is ‘why didn’t they ask the ref to go and look at it - & make his own mind up’? It was a pen. That the match day centre make the decisions is madness."
Evertonians were also left miffed at the officials' decision not to send off Sadio Mane, as he appeared to push Allan in the face and poke Mason Holgate in the eye during a skirmish involving multiple players before half-time.
The Toffees have had hard luck from officials against title challengers previously this season, when they were denied a blatant penalty against Manchester City late on in a game they lost 1-0.
After that controversial call, Everton received a phone call and an apology from PGMOL boss Mike Riley.
Another may yet be in the offing, although after the Toffees fell in to the bottom three on Sunday after Burnley's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, points are they only thing that matters at this stage of the season.
Liverpool, in contrast, are now point behind Man City at the top of the table.
