Crystal Palace reduced the deficit against Liverpool in controversial fashion after Freddie Woodman injured himself in the build-up
Freddie Woodman of Liverpool reacts with teammate Andrew Robertson after picking up an injury
Arne Slot criticised the decision to not stop the game as Crystal Palace scored after an injury to Freddie Woodman.(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool defender Andy Robertson felt that the referee should have stopped the game during the build-up to Crystal Palace's effort following an injury to Freddie Woodman. However both the Scotland international and Reds third-choice 'keeper failed to be drawn on the controversy as Daniel Munoz's effort came in the aftermath of Woodman's knee injury.
However, head coach Arne Slot felt that referee Andy Madley should have stopped the encounter. The Liverpool shot-stopper smothered well to deny Palace in the build-up but crashed into the turf, with his knee getting stuck, leaving him stricken. The 29-year-old attempted to get back up on his feet but by the time he did, Palace's Colombian full-back had already lifted his effort goalwards towards an empty net.
Munoz's effort reduced Liverpool's lead after Roberton doubled their advantage following Alexander Isak scored his first goal since December.
Slot said: "The number of times I've played against a team and then a player is on the floor and the referee blows the whistle. It happened against Man Utd when Mac Allister was on the floor, they played on and Macca needed five stitches afterwards. I don't blame them, by the way, the referee should stop the game.
"It's going to become a tactic to pretend you're injured so the referee stops the play. He did it about four times today.
"Munoz, I think it's 50-50 because some players wouldn't have taken the shot. Some players would stop and some would score. I don't blame him as much as I blame the referee."
The Dutchman reignited his anger following Manchester United's goal against Liverpool when Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister had went down following a collision in the build-up to the goal, which required stitches. While the Argentine was left on the ground, United raced through and broke the deadlock.
However, Robertson felt that the referee should have stopped the game but went as far to admit that shot-stoppers are over-protected. He said: "I don't think he looks up. Woody went down, tried to get back up and went down again.
"Munoz is looking down trying to concentrate on kicking the ball. My opinion is the ref should stop the game but goalkeepers are protected too much by the refs. Thankfully, we were the ones who scored the next and not them.
"I thought he was outstanding. The lads and coaching staff had so much faith in him because we see him every day. I'm just gutted he didn't get the clean sheet."
Arne Slot embraces Freddie Woodman, who made a series of key saves in the win over Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot embraces Freddie Woodman, who made a series of key saves in the win over Crystal Palace.(Image: Getty Images)
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Woodman said: "The grass was really dry and my knee got stuck in the ground. I didn't know what to do. It didn't punish us in the end and the three points are massive."
It was a crucial win for Liverpool as they leapfrogged Aston Villa, following their 1-0 defeat at Fulham in the early kick-off, with Florian Wirtz rounding off the scoring in added time to boost the Reds' Champions League hopes.
Slot's side now have an eight-point buffer to Brighton in the European places as they returned to the top four.
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