The reason for Matthijs de Ligt being penalised for handball during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield has been confirmed by the Premier League.

The Dutchman was struck on the arm by Alexis Mac Allister’s header, though referee Michael Oliver opted against awarding a penalty despite vociferous appeals from Liverpool’s players and a raucous home crowd.

Oliver was advised to consult the pitch-side monitor to review his decision and upon viewing the replay opted to award a penalty – one that Mohamed Salah would dispatch past Andre Onana despite the Cameroonian getting a hand to his effort.

Confirming the reason for VAR’s recommendation, a post on the Premier League’s X feed read: “#LIVMUN – 67’ VAR OVERTURN. VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible handball by De Ligt, deeming that his arm was raised in an unnatural position. Upon review, the referee overturned his original call of no penalty.”

“I think his hand is high. I think he could be in trouble is my initial reaction,” Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville said during the game. “I saw it in real time when your hand is up there, we will see.

“As soon as your arm is high like that in the box, you are asking for big trouble. Why is his hand there? I don’t know why his hand is there at all.”

The blemish on De Ligt’s copybook will not overshadow what was an encouraging performance from Ruben Amorim’s United. The Red Devils were far more organised and assured in possession, with midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo ably competing against Liverpool’s midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch.

Captain Bruno Fernandes also shone in one of his best displays of the season, suggesting United do have brighter days ahead after a torrid start to Amorim’s reign. United have leapfrogged West Ham into 13th with the unexpected point, still some way adrift of European qualification both in terms of points and places.