Ally McCoist slams ‘shocking’ incident involving Jeremie Frimpong in Liverpool vs Atletico
Liverpool raced into an early lead in their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, and it almost felt too easy.
Mohamed Salah fired a shot which deflected in off Andy Robertson, before doubling the lead with just six minutes on the clock.
Atletico grew into the game and pulled a goal back at Anfield on the stroke of half-time after being shellshocked, while Liverpool were seeking out a third goal, and after a Marcos Llorente equaliser, Virgil van Dijk found a winner.
Alexander Isak was presented with a couple of opportunities on his debut, but the game was not without controversy, as one bizarre refereeing decision has now been slammed.
Ally McCoist slams disallowed Liverpool penalty
Liverpool thought they had the chance to make it 3-0 as Jeremie Frimpong’s cross appeared to hit Clement Lenglet’s hand, and a penalty was given.
However, replays showed that the ball was nowhere near the defender’s hand, and after a consultation with the pitchside monitor, the penalty was cancelled.
| Stat | Frimpong |
| Appearances | 190 |
| Goals | 30 |
| Assists | 44 |
The decision to award a penalty in the first place was a surprising one, and TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist could not believe what he was seeing.
“That’s absolute nonsense, just get on with the game,” McCoist stated on commentary.
“That’s actually embarrassing. It’s shocking. I’m guessing that someone’s spoken to the referee.
“You know what the bizarre and worrying thing is? You and I are both sitting here not convinced that he’s not going to change it.”
Liverpool penalty call crucial at end of first half
Had Liverpool’s penalty stood and they scored, they would have gone 3-0 up, and the game would likely have been done and dusted.
However, with the penalty overturned, and Marcos Llorente scoring at the end of the first half, they ended the first 45 minutes with a very different scoreline and game state than it could have been.
Liverpool did have several other chances through Isak and Frimpong, but they also allowed Atletico to attack in behind, and the game was not as secure as it could have been.
A third goal could have killed Atletico’s hopes of a comeback, with Diego Simeone entering the game missing several key players, including Julian Alvarez, but the scoreline at half time was much closer than it could have been.
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