Mike Dean has defended Anthony Taylor’s decision to award Liverpool a penalty after Martin Dubravka’s tackle on Diogo Jota.
Reds striker Alexis McAllister headed home a sharp cross and Jota was challenged when Taylor pointed to the spot as Jota tried to beat the Slovakian goalkeeper.
Mohamed Salah stepped up and sent Dubravka the wrong way before grabbing a first-half goal to complete Liverpool’s 4-2 victory.
Ian Wright and Alan Shearer were among the former pundits who challenged the on-field penalty decision. Shearer, Newcastle United’s all-time leading goalscorer, praised the decision and called it “a disgrace”.
Former Premier League referee Dean was in the commentary box alongside Jamie Carragher and Peter Drury. For the win, he defended Taylor’s decision.”I think Stuart Atwell just heard it on VAR, obviously Dubravka touched Jota’s leg with the left elbow,” said the 55-year-old. “So once he gets that punishment, it’s hard to get him back.”Throughout the match, Dubravka was the better of the two goalkeepers, breaking the Premier League’s expected goals record after Liverpool had 34 attempts in the Magpies’ net.
The 34-year-old was publicly contacted about the decision but admitted there was “no point” arguing with VAR. “It’s disappointing because he’s a smart kid,” he told NUFC TV. “I pulled my hand away and tried not to touch her. I felt a touch, but I didn’t know what else to do. It was a penalty in the end, so there was no need to argue with them. With the VAR system… I don’t know what to say. “We tried to stop the penalty but it was just a gamble,” he said.
The ECHO understands the video assistant referee reviewed and upheld the on-field decision as there was contact and it was not considered a clear and egregious foul.
