Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes that the decision by Chris Kavanagh to award Liverpool a stoppage time penalty for a foul on Sadio Mane in their 2-1 win over Leicester on Saturday was the correct one.
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Speaking on Sky Sports‘ Ref Watch, he believes that the Reds forward was fouled by Marc Albrighton, although he added that Mane “didn’t go down too well” following the challenge. A clip of Gallagher’s take on the decision was shared on Twitter by @SkySportsNews.
Penalty or no penalty?
Dermot Gallagher believes it was correct to award Liverpool at late penalty against Leicester when it was analysed in today’s #RefWatch pic.twitter.com/tlcgylr9vh
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 7, 2019
Kavanagh’s decision to award the penalty, which was given with the teams level at 1-1 four minutes into stoppage time after a VAR review, was met with disagreement from some quarters.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said he was unsure that the foul was “clear and obvious” and felt that Mane ensured he “made the most of the contact“, while BBC pundit Alan Shearer called the penalty “very, very, very soft” on Match of the Day and accused Mane of “a delayed reaction” [via TEAMtalk].
These Liverpool fans on Twitter unsurprisingly sided with Gallagher’s take on the penalty decision:
So 2 qualified, experienced referees and VAR decide it’s a penalty, but Twitter experts know better
— craig thomas (@craigdenthomas) October 7, 2019
If a knee to the back of the knee in the box isn’t penalty, you’re not a match official.
— That Firmino Smile (@MichiganLfc) October 7, 2019
So the referee, var and a former referee said it was a pen.. why is there even a debate.. #stonewall
— ian cleere (@iancleere) October 7, 2019
Dermot.doesnt do ifs but’s and maybes
— David Mcloughlin (@davey_macca) October 7, 2019
Remember when pundits would say “If there’s contact it’s a pen” because I bloody well do!!! pic.twitter.com/IwZAAnHVlC
— Bryan (@Bryanx54) October 7, 2019
Stands on his foot and pushes on the back of his leg using his shin , clear penalty end of debate pic.twitter.com/YLjzjGSXQA
— Ronan (@Ronan99_) October 7, 2019
Do you think the penalty decision in the Liverpool-Leicester game was correct? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
