Dean Saunders ‘shocked’ by Tottenham Hotspur’s reaction to penalty against Liverpool

Follow us on Google Discover

Liverpool won their sixth European crown when they beat Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid on Saturday.

Referee Damir Skomina awards a penalty during the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool

Dean Saunders has made it clear that Liverpool should not have been awarded a penalty during their 2-0 Champions League win over Tottenham on Saturday in Madrid.

The former Wales striker also stated that he was ‘shocked’ that the Tottenham players or their manager didn’t protest at the referee’s decision to award Jurgen Klopp’s side the spot-kick inside the first minute.

Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area when Sadio Mane’s cross/chip seemingly hit his armpit before the ball rolled onto his arm.

Speaking to the Final Word on TalkSport (02/06/2019 at 5:10 pm), Saunders will feel the wrath of Liverpool supporters for his comments about the penalty decision.

On Spurs players not protesting and Pochettino not saying anything about the penalty after the game: “I am shocked,” Saunders told the Final Word. “I don’t want to take anything away from Liverpool. I wanted Liverpool to win the game. I am not being biased, I was going to say this anyway, but I cannot believe anybody thinks it was a penalty.

“For a start, unnatural position of your arm. This law, they have got to bin it because you use your arms for different things when you’re defending in the box – Sissoko is pointing to Trippier. I can actually tell you what’s come out of his mouth, by the way, he’s pointing he’s saying ‘show him down the line’ and he’s using his arms as a way of doing that.

“For a start, his arm is in a natural position to do that. Number two, the ball hasn’t even hit his arm. It’s hit his chest and rolled onto his arm, so how’s that a penalty? Unless you have blind loyalty, I don’t think any of the Liverpool fans as well would watch that on a Sunday morning as a neutral and think it’s a penalty. I can’t believe the manager didn’t say anything after the game.”

After the penalty was awarded, only Christian Eriksen spoke with the referee as the rest of the Spurs players, including Sissoko, didn’t really argue with the penalty call.

Despite going a goal down, Mauricio Pochettino’s side controlled the match, but they were unable to create any clear cut chances.

In the end, Liverpool held onto their lead and substitute Divock Origi, who was the hero in the semi-final against Barcelona, made sure the European trophy was heading to Merseyside.