(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Exclusive: Hackett reacts as tech intervenes in PSG v Liverpool incident

Keith Hackett

Refereeing Consultant AUTHORITY Former FIFA Referee; Head of PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). FOCUS Laws of the Game, VAR implementation, officiating performance, and PGMOL policy. THE AUDIT Keith utilises Statscore’s Officiating Telemetry, including Deep-Data Metrics like Incident Accuracy Rates, VAR Intervention Latency, and Official Positional Efficiency. He provides technical refereeing analysis to reveal the regulatory reality behind match-defining decisions.

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Liverpool were lucky to go into the half-time break level in their Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

The Reds were sub-par in the first-half at the Parc Des Princes (5 March) and the Parisians thought that they had taken the lead through a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strike in the 20th minute.

However, the Merseysiders' blushes were spared when the goal was ruled out with the Georgian star narrowly offside in the build-up, according to the semi-automated offside system, in a decision which shocked Paul Merson due to how close it was.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, Anfield, Arne Slot
Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled against Kvaratskhelia. (Credit: Imago)

Keith Hackett agrees with offside call in PSG v Liverpool

Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes that the decision was correct despite how close it was and that Liverpool did not benefit from any kind of mistake.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, Hackett said: "Given the offside law it was the correct decision to rule the player offside.

"The player was in an offside position when the ball was played forward to him.

"Even though he was facing with his back to goal."

Slot will be furious with his team's performance. (Credit: Imago)
Slot will be furious with his team's performance. (Credit: Imago)

Liverpool need to bounce back despite win against PSG

The Reds were absolutely dominated in the contest in the French capital but Arne Slot will be delighted with the smash-and-grab victory.

The Merseysiders looked set to find themselves having to produce another remarkable European comeback under the lights at home until Harvey Elliott broke the deadlock.

StatsPossessionShotsShots on target
PSG70%2710
Liverpool30%21
The stats were firmly in PSG's favour. (Credit: Fotmob)

Slot could be on the way to a memorable first season after replacing Jurgen Klopp but he will need his team to put in a much-improved performance in the second leg if they are to progress to the next round in Europe's premier competition.

They have a 13-point margin at the summit of the Premier League, so can afford to take risks against the Parisians with their squad selection due to how far Arsenal are behind them.

Given the way that they have struggled in the clash, some serious adjustment is needed, as the two controversial incidents, the offside and the potential red card for Ibrahima Konate came from the Reds being poor and allowing PSG to dominate.

www.liverpoolnews247.com