Liverpool was held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, but pundits have clashed over whether striker Yoane Wissa should have been shown a red card during the match on Sunday
Tim Sherwood has offered his opinion
Tim Sherwood has offered his opinion(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool has been informed that Newcastle ought to have been reduced to 10 men, with Yoane Wissa warranting a red card during Sunday's 2-2 stalemate.
Tim Sherwood reckons the former Brentford star was lucky to escape dismissal at St. James' Park. The Reds salvaged a late equalizer, with Dominik Szoboszlai slotting home from the penalty spot after Victor Munoz was felled by Lewis Hall during added time.
Anthony Elanga had put Newcastle ahead, leaving Liverpool behind at half-time. Cody Gakpo subsequently drew level, but Joe Willock swiftly reinstated the home side's advantage. Wissa supplied the assist, although, as Sherwood contended, he ought not to have remained on the field to provide it.
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The forward was already carrying a caution when he seemingly tripped Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park during the opening period. Wissa received his first booking in the 25th minute and subsequently avoided a second.
The ex-Tottenham boss, Sherwood, maintains the tackle merited another caution. Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he stated: "It's a second yellow; it's a red card in my opinion."
Nevertheless, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher and ex-Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd took a different view, supporting Stuart Attwell's decision on the pitch.
Liverpool faced Newcastle on Sunday
Liverpool faced Newcastle on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
"A second yellow card carries a bit more weight," Gallagher said. "Would you want me to send you off for that? I don't think so. It carries more weight because it's a bigger punishment. It's not a yellow card in its own right. It's not enough to send him off."
Bothroyd went on to say: "I don't think that is a red card. Gravenberch does well to go the way that initially Wissa was running but then he goes the other way.
"At no point do you see Wissa looking forward to, say, let me clip his heels. It's an accident, not a yellow card and I think it's a good decision."
Liverpool also received a judgment on its stoppage-time spot-kick against Newcastle after Hall fouled Munoz inside the area. Gallagher maintained that Attwell reached the right conclusion.
"I think it's the right decision. I think it's clumsy, catches him with his knee and doesn't get the ball," he continued.
"It's impactful, it's contact, and it's a penalty. I don't think it's soft. He's [Hall] hit him hard."
Sherwood similarly backed the official's call, stating: "The ref got it right. He makes contact, and it's never going to get overturned," while Jay Bothroyd commented: "I don't think it's soft. I think it's a poorly timed challenge."
The Reds now shift their focus to their opening home fixture of the campaign, with Nottingham Forest making the trip to Anfield on Saturday.