Speaking on his own podcast, Gary Neville has been discussing Paul Tierney’s refereeing performance at Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool played Manchester City.
This was billed as one of the biggest games of the season, and it certainly delivered, both in terms of quality and controversy.
There were plenty of decisions for Tierney to make during this game, but the most notable was undoubtedly the decision to not show James Milner his second yellow card after tripping Bernardo Silva in the second half.
What’s been said?
Neville was speaking about Milner staying on the pitch despite tripping Silva.
“It was a big moment in the game, I do think Paul Tierney will look at it and think ‘did I shirk that one a bit?’ I don’t like saying the referee bottled it, but he shirked that decision. It was a tough one with Liverpool at Anfield, but I think he had to go,” Neville said.
Should have gone
It’s always a hard decision to make as a referee, but we have to agree that Tierney got this one wrong.
Milner’s foul on Silva was cynical and if he wasn’t already on a yellow, we’re sure the referee wouldn’t have hesitated to book him.
As Neville says, it’s hard to make such a decision at Anfield in front of a packed-out stadium in one of the biggest games of the season, but when you’re a referee you have to work to the letter of the law.
Neutrals are probably glad Milner wasn’t sent off. After all, this was one of the best games we’re likely to see all season, but we’re sure Manchester City fans view things rather differently.
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