Chelsea legend, Joe Cole has voiced his displeasure over referee, Paul Tierney’s decision not to award his former side a penalty during the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Liverpool put on an impressive performance to win the match 4-1, but things might have unfolded differently if a first-half penalty decision had gone Chelsea’s way.

During the early exchanges, Conor Gallagher appeared set to put the Blues in front after cruising in to the Liverpool box, but the 23-year-old was unable to put a shot away after he was fouled by Virgil van Dijk.

As the midfielder went down, there were appeals for a spot-kick to be awarded Chelsea’s way, but Tierney waived them off immediately, with VAR failing to call the referee to order, despite a review.

Initially, the challenge from Van Dijk seemed to be a fair one, but after watching the replays, many were of the opinion that Chelsea should have been given a penalty, including former England winger, Cole, who has now stated that Tierney lacked bravery in the way he officiated the match.

“Absolutely,” Cole told TNT Sports when asked if the challenge was a penalty.

“[Raheem] Sterling ghosts into the box, Gallagher takes a lovely touch and Van Dijk just squares himself off.

“I think he just leans into him. To me that’s a penalty. In front of the Kop, first 10 minutes, I think the referee has not been brave there.”

Former forward, Ally McCoist, who was on commentary duty also said of the incident: “There is contact. One thing I would say is Paul Tierney’s positioning was absolutely spot on.

“It all started from a terrific ball from [Ben] Chilwell and it worked to Gallagher. Why would you go down when there is a strike on with your left foot?”

He added: “When you see it, you’ve got to say it looks as though there’s been contact with Van Dijk’s right knee on Gallagher.”