Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the dying embers of the game against Newcastle United
Victor Munoz was fouled by Lewis Hall as Liverpool scored a penalty against Newcastle
Victor Munoz was fouled by Lewis Hall as Liverpool scored a penalty against Newcastle(Image: Sky Sports)
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Gary Neville felt there was little room to debate Liverpool's late penalty against Newcastle United when Lewis Hall brought down Victor Munoz six minutes into injury time.
Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to bury the ball into the top corner from the penalty spot to snatch Andoni Iraola's side a late point at St. James' Park.
It was another dramatic end to a fixture that has served up some memorable moments in recent seasons.
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Speaking on Sky Sports commentary duty, Neville said: "There was no touch on the ball, and it looked like a penalty - and it is. Hall has been incredible but that is not going to be overturned.
"One thing I recognised straightaway was there was no touch on the ball. It looked like a penalty right away.
"Lewis Hall in all parts of this game, against Munoz and Ngumoha, has moved his feet. He’s not taken the lazier option to stand there and just put his leg out.
"He’s got low, he’s been really sharp in his defending and in the final seconds…I think Hall knows deep inside that it was a penalty."
Victor Munoz of Liverpool is fouled by Lewis Hall to win a late penalty against Newcastle United.
Victor Munoz of Liverpool is fouled by Lewis Hall to win a late penalty against Newcastle United.(Image: (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images))
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VAR took a look at the incident and also sided with the on-field decision made by Stuart Atwell. In a post on social media, the Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Hall on Muñoz was checked and confirmed by VAR.
"REF: “He doesn’t play the ball. He makes clear contact”. VAR: "It’s knee into thigh contact. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty.""
Anthony Elanga had opened the scoring for Newcastle just five minutes into the game with the Magpies hitting Liverpool on the break.
Mattias Jaissle's side took a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval, before Cody Gakpo restored parity in the 55th minute with a brilliant long-range strike into the bottom corner.
However, Newcastle went back in front after a brilliant run from Yoane Wissa teed up Joe Willock to put the Magpies 2-1 up.
Szoboszlai's late penalty ensured a share of the spoils on the opening day of the season, scoring in the sixth minute of added time, when the offcials had signalled for five to be added on.
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