Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman, two football pundits on TNT Sports, believe Liverpool were lucky to score a penalty in their 1-0 Champions League win over Girona yesterday because overall the team’s performance at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi was weak.
‘The Reds’ have won 6 games in a row in the league phase, guaranteeing them to be in the 8 teams in the knockout round. However, the overall picture that came out, even head coach Arne Slot himself said that he was not impress in many areas.
It was in line with the two three-time UCL champions’ combine view of the penalty kick, which Girona midfielder Donny van de Beek blocked from behind to bring down Liverpool forward Luis Diaz in the penalty area.
A famous analyst believes that the VAR controller could have let it go since the referee on the field had already signaled for play to continue. In this situation, the player felt sorry for the team. Finally, when Benoit Bastien went to review the recording of the incident, he was give a penalty.
“I don’t think it was a penalty,” said McMann, the former Liverpool winger who won two Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
“As long as the judge is firm, no one can shake him.”
“In European games, since VAR came into play, it’s like muddying the waters and creating chaos.”
“You expect the midfielder to be the blocker, and it’s a shame that it happened because it’s a physical game, especially at the corner flag. So I don’t think it’s a penalty.”
Ferdinand add that the penalty ทางเข้า ufabet could have been give or not give, but Van de Beek’s tackle was loose.
“There is no doubt that Salah will score even though he barely gets the ball,” the former 2008 UCL winner said of the 32-year-old’s 50th UCL penalty goal.
“The penalty was probably not intentional for Van de Beek. Clumsy would be the best word to describe it.”
“He gave the referee an opportunity to make a decision.”
Next up, Slots will likely rotate heavily in the final two games against Lille and PSV Eindhoven.