Moyes blasts 'disrespectful' VAR as West Ham denied late penalty in loss to Liverpool

David Moyes said he was "surprised" to see West Ham United denied a late penalty against Liverpool and accused the VAR of “disrespect” after the Hammers slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday.

The West Ham manager angrily confronted Chris Kavanagh on the field at full time after the referee decided not to award a penalty when Thiago Alcantara’s arm hit the ball as he challenged Danny Ings in the box.

VAR Niel Swarbick did not instruct Kavanagh to review the incident, leaving an incandescent Moyes fuming.

“I’ve a chance to see it since,” said Moyes. “The difference for me is, and you’ll probably hear them coming out with some rubbish about he [Thiago] needed to break his fall, but if you lunge it’s your own fault for lunging and being out of control in the tackle.

“You can break your fall by sliding and having to put your arm down but when you lunge for the ball, for me, that completely nullifies anything they’re talking about breaking your fall. I think it’s a penalty kick.

“I think the hardest thing to take is the disrespect from VAR, that VAR wouldn’t have at least said to the referee that this might be worth having a look. That tells me they don’t see that as even close to a decision. I’m surprised.

“Somebody in VAR didn’t have enough football knowledge to understand that this could be close.

“Whoever it was chose not to send the referee [to the pitchside monitor]. VAR, for me, showed no respect whatsoever to us."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp took a different view, though expressed sympathy for Moyes.

“I heard now about the handball. I thought he just fell on the ball but I can see why Moyesie would think different,” Klopp said.

Moyes' mood would not have been helped by Liverpool's come-from-behind victory having taken