Daniel Munoz was public enemy number one inside Anfield after he guided the ball into an empty net with Freddie Woodman injured on the floor.
It was the most controversial moment during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Palace. By the letter of the law, the goal was perfectly fine, but there are many who see his opportunistic play as unsportsmanlike. The frustration was understandable in the moment, especially with Woodman clearly unable to protect his goal properly.
After the game, Andy Robertson was asked about that moment in the game. He is showing far more understanding to Munoz than most of a Liverpool persuasion.
What did you make of Daniel Munoz’s controversial goal against Liverpool on Saturday?
Just bad sportsmanship surely 😡
Arne Slot reacts in disbelief after seeing Daniel Munoz score during Liverpool's Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
Andy Robertson does not blame Daniel Munoz after Crystal Palace goal
Robertson was the Liverpool player closest to Munoz when the Palace defender struck the ball into the empty net.
That gives his view on the incident a bit more weight, and the Scot made it clear that he did not think Munoz deliberately took advantage of Woodman being down.
He told Sky Sports: “I was closest to him and I don’t think he looked up before he hit the ball.
“In a game like this, you just hope it doesn’t punish you. When these things happen, you want the right result. It’s one of these things, I don’t think there’s anyone to blame.”
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That is a very fair way to look at it, even if Liverpool fans inside Anfield were never going to see it that calmly in real time. Munoz saw a loose ball and finished it. The referee allowed the goal to stand, and Palace were suddenly back in a game that had looked to be slipping away from them.
It could easily have become the major talking point if Palace had gone on to take something from the game, but Liverpool responded properly and found a way to win 3-1.
That made the whole situation far easier to digest. It also meant Robertson could look back on the incident with a bit more calmness than most supporters probably managed at the time.
In the end, it was still a brilliant day for him. Robertson scored, Liverpool took a huge three points, and the left-back enjoyed what could be one of his final big Anfield moments in a red shirt.
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