Ex-FIFA ref slams ‘misguided and incorrect’ decision that left Liverpool furious against Atletico
Liverpool had a blistering start against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League clash, but their 3-2 win could have been a lot more comfortable.
Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool take a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes, as Atletico were shellshocked at Anfield.
Liverpool could have had a third before half time but had a penalty call overturned, before Marcos Llorente scored at Anfield again on the stroke of the interval.
Atletico grew into the game and eventually found an equaliser before Van Dijk’s winner, but Liverpool can argue that they have been harshly done by in terms of the decisions going against them.
This article contains exclusive opinion from former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Atletico’s first goal against Liverpool should have been ruled out
Liverpool conceded on the stroke of half-time in their first Champions League game as Llorente poked in after a clever move, but this should have been ruled out.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has now exclusively told Liverpool News that the referee and VAR team should have disallowed Llorente’s goal, as Antoine Griezmann was in the line of sight for goalkeeper Alisson.
“This is a very poor decision by the referee, and his interpretation of interfering with an opponent is misguided and incorrect,” Hackett stated.
“When the ball is played towards goal, Griezmann is well offside and clearly in the sight line of Allison.
“Where is VAR when you want them?”
Liverpool find late winner again
Liverpool would have been even more fuming at this decision had they dropped points, but Virgil van Dijk scored right at the end to hand his side the victory.
Atletico headed into the game depleted with stars such as Julian Alvarez missing, but they put up a good fight as they came back from two goals down.
Every Liverpool match this season has seen them win late on, and there was another injury-time winner yet again as Van Dijk headed in a corner in the dying minutes.
However, they could have thrown the win away at the end as Alexander Sorloth was presented with a big chance, but he headed straight at Alisson from a few yards out, much to the relief of everyone in Anfield.
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