Crystal Palace ‘should have had penalty’ after huge Liverpool controversy – Ex-PGMOL chief
Liverpool were fortunate to even get to penalties in their Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Reds were defeated 3-2 in a shootout by FA Cup winners Palace after a tense encounter at Wembley (10 August).
Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong marked their competitive debuts with goals, but Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr levelled the contest.
The Eagles should have had the chance to win the match in normal time, rather than in the fashion in which they did, though.
Liverpool News presents the exclusive opinion of former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Liverpool get lucky after controversial non-penalty call
Former PGMOL chief and ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes that the Reds were lucky not to concede a penalty.
The ball came off Alexis Mac Allister’s outstretched arm in the 81st minute, but referee Chris Kavanagh decided not to award a spot kick.
However, Hackett exclusively told Liverpool News that the decision was incorrect, saying: “The movement of the hand to the ball is very clear, and it is frankly difficult to understand why the player was not penalised and a penalty kick should have been awarded.
“The ball clearly comes into contact with the defender’s hand. The defender’s hand moves towards the ball, and frankly an easy penalty kick to award.
“I see no subjectivity in this decision, just the handball law fulfilled.”
Slot will not care about controversy in Liverpool loss
Slot will not care whether or not it should have been a penalty; there were much bigger issues in the contest for him.
The Reds are looking to retain their top-flight crown, and while they are the favourites, according to the Opta supercomputer, it was a concerning display.
- Palace had 14 shots to the Reds’ 12 and created four big chances to Slot’s side’s two
They switched off defensively on several occasions and allowed Palace back into the contest after taking the lead twice.
If it was not for the tremendous performance of Alisson Becker between the sticks, a shootout may not have been needed to settle proceedings.
They need to tighten up at the back if they are to hold off the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, who should come back with a vengeance this season.
Their attacking additions, like Florian Wirtz and Ekitike, have been exciting, but Frimpong and Kerkez’s tendencies to go forward can cause issues.
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