Keith Hackett, a retired referee and former PGMOL chief, has spoken out on Liverpool’s equalising goal against Crystal Palace.
In their sixth Premier League encounter of the season, defending champions Liverpool headed to Selhurst Park to face a Crystal Palace team that, under Oliver Glasner, has proven extremely difficult to beat. The Eagles came into the match on a 17-game unbeaten record, which included a victory over the Reds in the Community Shield in August.
Palace eventually won, although it appeared that Liverpool had won again with a sensational late goal from Federico Chiesa.
Eddie Nketiah, who had been come from the bench, scored beyond Alisson in the 97th minute to secure a seismic win for his club, which is currently the only unbeaten team in the Premier League.
Understandably, much has been said about Nketiah’s winner and Liverpool’s overall performance against the Eagles. Keith Hackett, a retired referee, has shared his perspective on a certain occasion from the game.
‘It is difficult to understand.’
The Video Assistant Referee examined Liverpool’s equalising goal, noting that star forward Mohamed Salah’s arm was close to the ball as it entered the box, with the Egyptian jumping to try to meet the pass. Regarding the incident, Hackett stated:
“It is tough to fathom when you witness on video replay Salah’s premeditated handball, which has expanded his body shape and reached for the sky. He comes into contact with the ball, but the referee does not notice it.
“Then VAR checks it and doesn’t make the proper decision. This is handball. Something’s not right. There is a relational problem or a technological fault, as the video evidence clearly shows that a handball event occurred. It should be penalised. Full stop.”
Palace were able to persevere and win the game, but they would have suffered greatly if the game had finished in a draw. Not only for their performance, but also, as Hackett pointed out, for how Liverpool scored their goal.
Slot’s side will undoubtedly seek to rebound quickly from this defeat, but given some of their performances this season, it is maybe unexpected that Liverpool’s pristine Premier League record has come to an end after so long.
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