Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez avoided a red card for a tackle on Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters
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Darwin Nunez has been described as 'petulant' for his tackle during Liverpool's 3-1 win over Southampton.
Darwin Nunez has been described as 'petulant' for his tackle during Liverpool's 3-1 win over Southampton.
(Image: Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez's tackle on Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters has been described as petulant but didn't warrant a red card, according to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher. The Uruguayan escaped severe punishment on the stroke of half-time after a wild-swipe brought down the full-back.
The 25-year-old remained on the pitch and played a part in the Reds fightback. He was on hand to turn home Luis Diaz's cut-back before he was brought down by Will Smallbone in the penalty area, which was converted by Salah.
The Egyptian added a second of the afternoon with a penalty in the dying embers to round off a 3-1 win. Nunez continued his run after playing a key role in Liverpool's unlikely 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, after assisting Harvey Elliott for the winning goal, with his showing at Anfield on Saturday.
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However, Gallagher believes it could have been "a lot worse" for the Liverpool talisman following his challenge on Walker-Peters.
"It's petulant, but if he had really followed through, he's getting a red card," he said. "It's so unwise but it's a yellow. It doesn't have the intensity and violence [for a red].
"It could be a lot worse. That's what saved him."
Speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean felt it was the correct decision but did look bad on initial viewing.
"I think the right decision is yellow," Dean said. "It looks really bad but when you look at it from another angle, it's knee on knee. From the TV angle, it looks like he's completely launched but he hasn't."