Graham Poll thinks Liverpool should have had a penalty against Tottenham for Jan Vertonghen’s tug on Joel Matip.
Former referee Graham Poll
Former Premier League referee Graham Poll has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty in Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds played out a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, as after James Milner had scored from the penalty spot following Erik Lamela’s foul on Roberto Firmino, Danny Rose equalised to give Spurs a share of the spoils.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen in action against Liverpool
It was an enthralling, end-to-end encounter which Liverpool will feel they shaded, especially as Sadio Mane had a goal ruled out for offside when the Reds were leading 1-0.
However, the biggest talking point of the game came in the first half, when Liverpool felt they should have been awarded a penalty with the game at 0-0.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
With Liverpool taking a corner, Joel Matip was hauled to the ground by Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, who was given a stern warning by referee Bobby Madley.
Whilst that may have been acceptable last season, new rules suggest that grappling inside the box will be punished with the awarding of penalties, and we’ve already seen a number of such cases in the first three weeks of the season.
Former referee Graham Poll
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was fuming with the lack of a penalty, as quoted by The Express, and now a former Premier League referee has offered his take on the situation.
Graham Poll has told the Daily Mail that he felt Madley’s decision not to award a penalty was ‘crazy’, and the only reason to not give a penalty in that scenario was if Matip was also holding onto Vertonghen.
“Crazy decision by Madley to warn Jan Vertonghen when he clearly pulled Matip down at a corner,” said Poll. “The only occasion to stop a kick being taken and issue a warning is when both players are holding each other. Obvious penalty not given,” he added.
Did you think Liverpool should have had two penalties against Tottenham?
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