Marco Silva has slammed the ’embarrassing’ refereeing decisions which paved the way for Liverpool to earn a narrow win over Fulham. Mo Salah scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot at Anfield on Wednesday night to keep the Reds’ faint top-four hopes alive.

Referee Stuart Attwell awarded the hosts a penalty before the break after judging Issa Diop’s attempted clearance brought Darwin Nunez down inside the box. The decision was upheld by VAR Tony Harrington, despite replays casting doubt over the level of contact, if any, from the Fulham defender.

Salah’s spot-kick proved to be the matchwinner, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson producing two fine stops to deny Carlos Vinicius either side of the interval. Silva could not hide his fury with the penalty decision following the full-time whistle, and questioned the role of VAR after the incident.

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The Fulham boss told the Liverpool Echo: “Coming to the half-time, losing 1-0, the way they scored the goal, I have to say that is embarrassing, Today in football to give a penalty like that, after the VAR didn’t take that penalty (away) it is difficult to understand.

“I will say nothing more because after it will be difficult for me and I don’t want to create more problems for me. But it’s almost impossible to understand that penalty.

“No, I didn’t speak with the referee. It will not change anything. Why am I going to speak to him? I know what I’m going to listen in the next few days, that it was a harsh decision, when Darwin touched the ball he start to dive himself but after he touched his left leg with Issa, they are going to say it is harsh but the referee gave and after the VAR cannot take (away).

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool with Issa Diop of Fulham

“It is always the same conversation. I didn’t speak with the referee at the end or at half-time. I had some words with the fourth official. Issa told me that it is clear not penalty. Issa spoke with the referee during the second half and I know what the referee said to Issa as well.

“For us it is clear not penalty and the VAR should took that penalty or not allow that decision to go from the referee. The referee made a mistake and the VAR is there to take that decision and not allow the penalty to go on. That’s clear for me.”

It is the fifth straight victory for Liverpool, who now sit four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United having played two more games. Jurgen Klopp’s side would move to within three points of Newcastle United if they beat Brentford on Saturday evening, with the Magpies not in action until Sunday afternoon when they host title challengers Arsenal.

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