Liverpool maintained their remarkable form, remaining unbeaten with just one loss this season. In their Champions League match against Girona, they took the lead at the second half, with Mo Salah scoring his 16th goal of the season. Alisson Becker was crucial with multiple key saves throughout the game. However, the match took a pivotal turn just after the hour mark when Luis Diaz was brought down inside the penalty area.
Replay revealed that Luis Diaz was caught on the heel by Donny van de Beek, prompting the French referee to review the incident at the pitch side monitor, after being advised by VAR. He awarded a penalty, and Mohamed Salah confidently converted it, sending the ball past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead. With the penalty awarded, there was little doubt Salah would score, and he did so with ease, bringing his season tally to 16 goals. This also put him just one goal behind Billy Liddell in fourth place on Liverpool’s all-time goal-scoring list.
Warnock slams Liverpool penalty decision as ‘very harsh’
Stephen Warnock, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, expressed his belief that the penalty decision against Girona was harsh, especially considering their dominant performance prior to the incident. The former Liverpool defender remarked after Salah’s successful penalty: “High fives all round from Arne Slot and his staff. I have to say though, the penalty is very harsh.”
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Had Van de Beek not clipped Diaz’s heel, the reckless way the Girona midfielder collided with the Liverpool forward from behind would have warranted a penalty. It was a needless challenge from the former Manchester United player. Without that incident, Girona would have only been facing a corner, as Andy Robertson was simultaneously forcing strong saves from Gazzaniga.
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With their recent win over Girona, Liverpool now boast a perfect 100% record in the Champions League. Regardless of the debate over whether the penalty should have been awarded, the goal stands, and the Reds will now turn their attention to their upcoming match against Fulham next Saturday.