Mike Dean has call out Chris Kavanagh and var over controversial decision in Everton vs Liverpool match

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has launched a scathing attack on referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR team following a highly controversial decision in the latest Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool.Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special, the outspoken ex-official described the call as “absolutely shocking” and “very bad,” insisting it was a clear penalty that should have been awarded.

Dean, never one to mince his words, labelled the decision “appalling” especially given the magnitude of a derby clash where tensions run high and every call carries extra weight.”It was a penalty, no doubt about it,” Dean said. “For that not to be given—or properly reviewed by VAR—is just unacceptable in a game of this intensity. The officials have got to get these big moments right.”

The incident, which occurred during a fiercely contested encounter at Goodison Park (or Anfield, depending on the fixture), sparked immediate outrage among fans and pundits alike. Replays appeared to show a clear infringement inside the box, yet referee Kavanagh waved play on, and the VAR intervention failed to overturn or even recommend a pitch-side review.Dean, who has built a reputation for blunt honesty in his punditry role, continued his criticism: “In a derby of this magnitude, you cannot afford mistakes like this.

The standard has to be higher. Players, managers, and supporters deserve better. This decision could have changed the outcome of the match.”His comments have reignited the ongoing debate about VAR consistency in the Premier League. Many fans and analysts have echoed Dean’s sentiments, pointing to repeated high-profile errors that continue to plague the game despite the technology’s introduction to eliminate controversy.

Critics argue that while VAR was meant to bring clarity, incidents like this only fuel frustration and conspiracy theories, particularly in passionate rivalries like Everton vs Liverpool.Dean concluded by calling for accountability: “We need to abolish these kind of poor decisions from the game. It’s not good enough at this level.”

The controversy adds another chapter to the long history of refereeing debates in the Merseyside derby, leaving both sets of supporters divided and demanding answers from the PGMOL.

As the season progresses, pressure mounts on officials to deliver consistent, high-quality decisions under the intense scrutiny of live television and passionate crowds. Mike Dean’s fiery call-out serves as a reminder that in football, especially in derbies, the smallest error can feel monumental.