Graeme Souness criticised Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah on Sky Sports Football (8:01pm, October 31, 2020) for the way he earned the penalty against West Ham United.
The Liverpool legend, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, does not think that the penalty that was awarded to the Reds during their Premier League match against West Ham at Anfield on Saturday evening was right.
In the closing stages of the first half, Arthur Masuaku was adjudged to have brought down Egypt international forward Salah – who cost Liverpool £34 million in transfer fees when they signed him from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, as reported by BBC Sport – inside the Hammers’ box.
The 28-year-old himself stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake in successfully converting it.
Souness was in the Sky Sports studios for the match, and the Liverpool legend did not think that it was a penalty.
The Scotsman said on Sky Sports Football (8:01pm, October 31, 2020), as transcribed by The Sunday World: “If I’m the referee, I’m not going that. That is two players coming together in the box and Salah has falling in an completely unnatural way.
“I might get into trouble here, but I’m with West Ham manager David Moyes here. That is a harsh penalty. You might say in the modern game that’s a penalty, but it’s not a penalty.
“I’ve seen Salah do this time and time again. I think it’s careless from the defender and he has given Salah a chance to throw himself to the ground.
“If you are 10 yards away from that, you can see that Salah has fallen down in an unnatural way, you don’t give it. But the guys in the black jerseys making these decisions keep getting it wrong.”
Liverpool march on
Later in the game, Liverpool had a goal disallowed, but the Reds still managed to win 2-1.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are now at the top of the Premier League table with 16 points from seven matches.
The Merseyside outfit have not been great so far this season and have already conceded 15 goals in the league, but they are getting the job done and are picking up points.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
