Leeds United saw another opposition goalkeeper go down injured on Saturday.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has put forward a ‘good solution’ to a trend that is frustrating Leeds United almost every week.
Elland Road was in uproar again during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Brentford when goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher went down with an injury. The Bees goalkeeper appeared okay during a double Leeds substitution on 70 minutes but before play could restart, called for treatment as some of his teammates went to speak with head coach Keith Andrews.
It has become a regular occurrence during Leeds games and a real point of frustration for Daniel Farke, who was in the ear of fourth official Anthony Backhouse on Saturday. Reviewing the incident and general trend on Monday, former top-flight referee Gallagher defended his colleagues but suggested something needs to be done.
“The referee is at the mercy of the player here,” Gallagher told Sky Sports’ Ref Watch. “He can’t do anything because God forbid, the referee says get up and the goalkeeper is really injured - he’d be in big, big trouble.
“I think what's interesting, one of the leagues are going to experiment next season where if a goalkeeper goes down like that - because it'll be a minute out next year when a player goes off - they are going to have to take an outfield player off for one minute. That would be a good solution.
“It’s bit-by-bit, experiment and see how it works. But I actually think taking an outfield player off for one minute is a good solution. [Deterrent] is the word. Once you’ve got a deterrent, people are less likely to take a chance.”
Another solution to growing Leeds United frustration
Goalkeeper injuries have become a regular occurrence during Leeds games this season. Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma called for medical attention back in November following a change of formation from Farke’s side while Sunderland shot-stopper Melker Ellborg also halted play earlier this month.
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Leeds are not the only Premier League side growing frustrated by the tactic either, with Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler critical of Arsenal after seeing goalkeeper David Raya hit the deck three times in one game. Former striker Jay Bothroyd offered another potential rule change that could help.
“Someone said maybe that when a goalkeeper goes down, the players have to stay in the centre-circle or on the pitch,” he added. They can’t come to the manager of whoever and get instructions.
“The only thing, there would be the physio is still going to the goalkeeper, so they could still give information. But another way to stop it would be to keep the players on the pitch.”
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