Mike Dean is 'convinced' he spotted an error in Liverpool's win over Southampton
Mike Dean is 'convinced' he spotted an error in Liverpool's win over Southampton
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean is "convinced" officials made a huge error during Liverpool's win over Southampton on Saturday.
The Reds came from a goal down to beat the Saints and move 16 points clear at the top of the table with two games in hand, prior to Arsenal's trip to Manchester United on Sunday.
Will Smallbone had stunned Anfield when he put the Premier League's basement-dwellers ahead on the stroke of half-time, with an angry Arne Slot - who was watching on from the stands as he served the second of his two-match touchline ban - responding by making a triple substitution at the break.
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The changes would have the desired effect as the Reds roared back to win the game 3-1 thanks to a strike from Darwin Nunez and a pair of Mo Salah penalties, the first of which had been won by Nunez.
But ex-Premier League referee Dean thinks Liverpool shouldn't have had to come from behind for the win, and believes Smallbone's goal should have been disallowed by VAR for offside.
Will Smallbone put Southampton ahead at Anfield
Will Smallbone put Southampton ahead at Anfield ( Image: AP)
The Southampton midfielder profited after a mix up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson allowed him to gain control of the ball on the corner of the six yard box, but replays showed that Mateus Fernandes had nipped in front of Alisson to pinch the ball from the Liverpool goalkeeper.
When Fernandes knocked the ball forward, Smallbone appeared to be ahead of him, Alisson and every Liverpool defender, and so he should by rights have been offside. VAR Matt Donohue didn't spot this though, and so referee Lewis Smith awarded the goal.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday at the time of the goal, Dean had spotted that Smallbone was in an offside position.
Smallbone appears to be in front of Fernandes when he touches the ball to him
Smallbone appears to be in front of Fernandes when he touches the ball to him
"I'm just worried about the goal," he said. "They've obviously checked it with VAR, but I've looked at it three or four times, I'm convinced it is offside.
"The Southampton player has gone to challenge the keeper, it's touched his foot and gone forward and Smallbone's left foot seems to be in front of the defender. Unless there was another defender outside that we can't pick up on the TV, but he looks offside in my opinion."
Saints' 3-1 defeat leaves them stuck on nine points, 14 behind 17th placed Wolves.
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