Michael Owen has spoken on the Liverpool v Bournemouth controversy (Credit: Imago/ Up Front on Youtube)
Michael Owen has spoken on the Liverpool v Bournemouth controversy (Credit: Imago/ Up Front on Youtube)
Match

Michael Owen hits out at 'shocking' Liverpool controversy in win v Bournemouth

Declan Carr
Declan Carr

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Liverpool legend Michael Owen has hit out at the controversy surrounding the win against Bournemouth.

Cody Gakpo was caught in the box by Lewis Cook in the 30th minute of the clash at the Vitality Stadium and Mohamed Salah converted to give the Reds the lead.

The decision led to a statement from the Premier League and criticism of referee Darren England following the contest but Owen does not understand how it was controversial.

In a post on X, (1 February), he said: "Stayed up to watch MOTD anticipating a shocking decision to award Gakpo a penalty.

"It’s an absolute certain penalty. What chance have officials got if half the population think that’s not a pen?"

Liverpool will not care but it was a penalty

The Reds and their supporters will not care whether it should have been a penalty or not, they beat an in-form Cherries side to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.

However, Owen is right, there should be no controversy, it was a blatant penalty as Cook clipped Gakpo's heels as he was running into the box.

It reeks of bias and tribalism from supporters who do not want the Anfield outfit to win the title, if the decision was in favour of their team, they would be screaming that it was a stonewall spot kick.

Liverpool
Match of the Day highlighted the contact (Credit: BBC)

There is no conspiracy for the Reds to win the league as has been claimed in some quarters, they are simply the best side in the country at the moment.

Arne Slot has transcended the English game in his first season in English football and the title would be the crowning moment of a fantastic season.

However, there is still a long way to go, with 15 matches still to play and anything can happen but if Arsenal do not beat Manchester City (2 February) it will feel like a huge moment.

In other Liverpool news, Rio Ngumoha will surely start against Plymouth after his latest exploits in the youth ranks.

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