Simon Hooper endured a very uncomfortable evening in charge of Newcastle United vs Liverpool.
Given the ferocity of the game, it was always going to be a difficult one to referee. Tackles were flying in, with Anthony Gordon being sent off shortly before half-time.
It was a terrible challenge on Virgil van Dijk, and the Newcastle United attacker was rightly sent off.
However, Liverpool were very lucky not to be reduced to 10 men themselves.
That is according to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who has given his view on the second half incident between Harvey Barnes and Ibrahima Konate.
Ibrahima Konate reacts during Newcastle United vs Liverpool in the Premier League at St James' Park.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Liverpool were ‘very lucky’ to avoid a red card against Newcastle United
As 10-man Newcastle United tried to get back into the game, Barnes was played through on goal by Bruno Guimaraes.
Before he could get to the ball, he was barged to the ground by Konate. The Liverpool defender had already been booked in the first half, but was not punished for the incident involving Barnes.
Speaking exclusively to Geordie Boot Boys, Clattenburg believes that Hooper made a mistake in not penalising Konate.
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“Ibrahima Konate was very lucky to get away with a clear push in the back on Harvey Barnes,” he said.
“The referee Simon Hooper who was well placed decided not to award a foul which is a wrong decision.
“To compound the wrong decision, this would have resulted in a second yellow card for stopping a promising attack as Barnes is breaking away towards the penalty area with a good potential to get to the ball before Konate.
“The VAR cannot interfere with a second yellow card so Newcastle needed the infield decision which did not come.”
The Newcastle United player who was punished after the Harvey Barnes incident
To make matters even more frustrating, Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes actually received a yellow card in the aftermath.
He wildly appealed for a foul to be given, only for the referee to give him a booking for dissent.
It meant that Bruno was suddenly walking on a tightrope, unable to snap into tackles due to the risk of picking up a second yellow card.
Incredibly, the 27-year-old was still able to have an influential game with and without the ball. Bruno was spectacular against Liverpool, leading by example in the middle of the pitch.