VAR AND REFEREE ERROR —  Mark Clattenburg gives honest verdict on Virgil van Dijk penalty incident in Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

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Virgil van Dijk gave away a penalty in the first half of Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield 2025 – here is what Mark Clattenburg thought of the decision.

Liverpool were in dreamland after just four minutes at Wembley, when new signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combined, and the Frenchman finished beautifully to put the Reds 1-0 up

A lead that only lasted 12 minutes. That was Ismaila Sarr danced into the Liverpool box, and Virgil van Dijk stuck out a leg to bring the Senegalese winger down.

But was it a penalty? Mark Clattenburg gives his verdict.

Exclusive: Mark Clattenburg on Virgil van Dijk penalty decision

Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, former Premier League referee Clattenburg gave his verdict on the decision and deemed Chris Kavanagh to be completely correct with his call.

Clattenburg says: “Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty for a foul by Van Dijk on Sarr. The referee Chris Kavanagh is well positioned to see Van Dijk’s foot catching his opponent’s foot without any contact on the ball and creating a trip and therefore a clear penalty kick.”

There was also some doubt as to whether there was an offside in the build-up, but this was quickly put to bed.

There you have it – Van Dijk was very clumsy – and the on-field decision was a correct one, despite some disagreement on social media.

Watch Jean-Phillipe Mateta score for Crystal Palace

So far, his blushes have been spared, as after Jean Phillipe-Mateta converted, Jeremie Frimpong put the Reds back in front.

Van Dijk is usually the coolest man on the pitch, but not in this moment of uncharacteristic behaviour.

The penalty was then dispatched by Mateta, who ran to the corner flag and did his trademark celebration.

All level here at Wembley!

Foul on Sarr by van Dijk, and Mateta steps up confidently to crash home the penalty to make it 1-1!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Y36vOj1r81

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 10, 2025

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How will the second half play out? Let’s see. But be sure to check back to TBR Football at full-time, where we’ll have post-match analysis. opinions and more.

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Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Chairman now admits he is willing to sell £48m player after Liverpool bid, wants a ‘conclusion’

Liverpool may have lost the FA Community Shield to Crystal Palace, but the pain could soon be eased by a new signing.

The Reds have already shown real ambition this summer, spending £69m to sign Hugo Ekitike – who shone on his competitive debut at Wembley, scoring a superb goal – while also bringing Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz to Anfield.

Liverpool are also looking to sign Marc Guehi due to a lack of depth in central defence, and Steve Parish has now made some interesting comments about the England international.

Steve Parish admits Crystal Palace are willing to sell Marc Guehi

The 60-year-old often swats away interest in his star players while giving little away, so it is intriguing to see the Crystal Palace chairman admit he is willing to sell his captain this summer.

Marc Guehi on the ball ‍ pic.twitter.com/x6fTRms6od

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 20, 2025

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Guehi – who Liverpool bid for last week, according to Foot Mercato – will become a free agent at the end of the 2025/26 campaign when his contract expires.

When asked by the News Shopper if he would sell the 25-year-old for a “suitable offer” this summer, Parish said: “Yes.

“Of course, for players of that calibre to leave on a free, it is a problem for a football club. There is no doubt about it, unfortunately.

“Last summer, Joachim (Andersen) went, and we couldn’t afford to lose both of them. We then had another bid in January, but that was a difficult situation as well. We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”

Crystal Place had only ever won one major trophy in their 43,714 days of their existence before the #EmiratesFACup final, now they have won 2 trophies in the last 86 days  pic.twitter.com/lhcYhf2CNX

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 10, 2025

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Tottenham made a £70m bid for Guehi in January as Parish alludes to, although as the man born in Abidjan nears free agency, Crystal Palace now value the defender around £48m.

How Marc Guehi performed against Liverpool in FA Community Shield

Guehi – who Newcastle considered before signing Malick Thiaw – was forced off with cramp in the 89th minute, but still managed to deliver an impressive performance before trudging off the pitch.

The Crystal Palace No.6 made six clearances, one interception and one tackle against Liverpool, completing 88% of his attempted 51 passes as well as Sofascore shows.

Five of those passes went down as successful long-range switches, which helped Crystal Palace stretch Liverpool and get in behind the defence.

Crystal Palace started the new season with that winning feeling, as they beat Liverpool on penalties to win the 2025 FA #CommunityShield  pic.twitter.com/orJlYvkxrz

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 10, 2025

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Guehi also registered one successful cross, a devilish delivery which almost teed up Ismaila Sarr to score, only for the Senegal international to send his diving header wide.

If Arne Slot was using this game to get a closer look at Guehi, the Dutchman must have been impressed by what he saw.