KEITH HACKETT EX FOOTBALL REFEREE KEITH HACKETT 26/5/2010. PICTURE DAVID ASHDOWN Copyright: xDavidxAshdownx DMGTCHPDPICT000404232629
Liverpool faced their first defeat in the English Premier League this season. This was their second defeat of the season across all competitions, as they started the campaign with a loss against Crystal Palace.
The Eagles won the FA Community Shield as the Glaziers faced the Reds in the English season opener. The game ended 2-2, but they managed to edge Slot’s men on penalties.
Following the loss, Liverpool went on a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions, including a UEFA Champions League opener win against Atlético de Madrid.
Before facing Crystal Palace again, the Reds had won their Carabao Cup clash against Southampton. The Merseysiders ultimately secured a 2-1 win, but two players were also suspended in the same match.
Hugo Ekitike faced a red card as the Frenchman took his shirt off after scoring the winning goal. He already held a yellow, and defender Giovanni Leoni injured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his debut.
Liverpool VAR controversy against Crystal Palace
Arne Slot faced Oliver Glasner again, this time in the English Premier League, as the Dutchman was hoping to keep his unbeaten run alive.
Unfortunately, the game didn’t end well as Slot ended up with zero points away at London. Ismaïla Sarr scored an early one in the 9th minute, setting the tone for the game.
However, Liverpool pulled one back in the 87th minute as Federico Chiesa scored the equaliser, with hopes growing stronger of a late winner.
The goal wasn’t directly awarded, though, as winger Mohamed Salah seemed to have handled the ball with his hands. After a cross, Salah tried to head the ball in, but instead, his arm made contact with the ball.
The stray ball was struck by Chiesa, who scored the equaliser. The VAR took a look at the build-up up but the goal stood following the analysis.
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool signed these players from?
Ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett disagrees with the decision
While in talks with Football Insider, former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett claimed that the accidental handball was enough to disallow the goal.
“It is difficult to understand when you see on video replay the deliberate handball from Salah, who has made his body shape larger, reaching out to the sky.”
“He comes into contact with the ball, but the referee, first of all, doesn’t see it. Then VAR checks it and doesn’t come to the right decision. This is handball. Something isn’t right.”
“There is a relationship problem, or a technical problem, because the video evidence is clear and obvious that a handball incident took place. It should be penalised. Full stop.”
About the Author
