Ex-FIFA referee wants rule change after what happened in Liverpool defeat vs Galatasaray
Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Galatasaray in controversial circumstances in the Champions League.
Victor Osimhen scored a contentious first-half penalty to give Galatasaray three points, after a disappointing performance from Liverpool on Tuesday.
Dominik Szoboszlai was penalised for a soft foul, which Liverpool had every right to complain about, and referee Clement Turpin was very happy to dish out yellow cards to both teams throughout.
There were several frustrating decisions handed against Liverpool on 30 September, and a rule change could fix a major problem that was seen in Istanbul.
Keith Hackett slams Victor Osimhen after Liverpool defeat
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has now slammed the rules surrounding what Galatasaray striker Osimhen did against Liverpool.
Osimhen caused Ibrahima Konate problems throughout the game, but he also went to ground a lot to disrupt the play.
- Osimhen fired in four shots, including his goal, in a very lively performance.
- The former Napoli striker won four of his five attempted ground duels with Liverpool defenders.
The striker twice went to ground, causing play to be stopped, despite not having a head injury, and these delays made for a drab game in Istanbul.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, Hackett claimed that the rules should be adapted to stop players from delaying games as Osimhen did.
“The referee was clearly not taking any chances and decided to stop play. Frankly, when we see referees stopping the game prematurely like this, then players see an opportunity to deliberately waste time and go to ground more easily,” Hackett explained.
“Unless it’s a head injury, I would like to see play continue. Why not adopt what happens in Rugby and allow treatment whilst the game continues?”
Delays frustrated Liverpool against Galatasaray
The ball was in play for just 50.5 per cent of the game thanks to Galatasaray’s time-wasting tactics, with 93 separate stoppages.
With the game going on for over 103 minutes, the ball was only in play for 52 of them, and Osimhen buying these stoppages clearly paid a part.
Had play continued, or had Osimhen been forced to leave the pitch, Liverpool could have gained more momentum in a game in which they failed to get going in attack, and this proposed rule change could help improve the quality of games in the Champions League.
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