Elliott's intelligence and Bissaka's naivety earned Liverpool a penalty kick that saved them from losing to Man United (Getty)

In the 83rd minute, Englishman Harvey Elliott, the Liverpool player, fell in the Manchester United penalty area after a collision with Englishman Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty kick, which experts and fans of the game were divided over.

Egyptian star Mohamed Salah scored the kick to save his team from loss and snatch a disappointing 2-2 draw for his team, which dropped to second place in the standings, leaving the lead to Arsenal by one point.

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But is the penalty kick correct?

Taylor was certain of his decision and the VAR referees did not summon him or discuss the decision with him, and the United players, especially Bisaka, did not object to the decision or demand that the referee return to the VAR.

But after the match, experts, analysts, and fans were divided over the kick, which some described as fake, that Bissaka did not touch Elliott, that the “VAR” was useless, and that the referee favored Liverpool, while a number of Man United fans held their player Bissaka responsible because he fell to the ground in a ball that was not dangerous. Or close to the goal.

The beginning was with former international referee Gamal Al-Sherif, who confirmed the correctness of the referee’s decision, and explained that “there was a contact that disturbed Elliott’s balance and prevented him from continuing his path, and then the obstruction occurred, and the referee was close to the shot, and he made his decision quickly, and the mouse room confirmed the decision later.” ..The error occurred as a result of the obstruction that affected the player’s movement. The referee’s decision was correct despite the lack of seriousness of the committed error. However, the error was counted due to the impact of Bisaka’s foot movement on the path of Elliott’s movement. The referee’s decision was correct to award a deserved penalty kick in favor of Liverpool.”

Gary Neville was not convinced Liverpool should have had that penalty… pic.twitter.com/8oGfBol27A

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 7, 2024

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville appeared dissatisfied with the referee's decision and told his colleague Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool player, that the kick was "not correct and the selfish goalkeeper will block it."

Eliot's intelligence

As for former Dutch football star Ruud Gullit, who works as an analyst for the beIN Sports network, he says that Liverpool does not achieve good results when Taylor manages matches for them. He added that Klopp lost 81 times in his career with Liverpool, including 40 losses with referee Taylor present.

🗣️ Controversy in the studio about Liverpool's penalty kick

✍️🗨️ In your opinion, is it correct?#Premier_League | #Manchester_United_Liverpool #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/SWCNc9OPXz

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 7, 2024

He added, "The penalty kick was awarded to Liverpool, but it was taken cleverly from the player Elliott. In the beginning, there was no challenge, but he pushed the ball and went to contact Bisaka and then fell. But the quick movement was counted by the referee, and Bisaka was naive when he fell to the ground in this way and slid to catch the ball and with that." He created the conditions for the referee to award a penalty kick.”

He concluded: “It is a valid penalty kick, and the validity of the referee’s decision cannot be debated.”

As for the sports analyst on the same channels, Tar Al Jalahma, he had another opinion, and said: “Liverpool suffered from refereeing errors during this season, but in the quick shot and the referee was close to it and his viewing angle was excellent, he awarded the kick and the mouse confirmed and confirmed his decision.”

He continued, "Elliott was smart and put Bisaka in the game even though the latter did not touch him. The situation does not call for a penalty kick, and no United player objected because they are professionals and respect the referee's decision."

As for the former Moroccan player and current analyst at BeIN Sports, Youssef Shibo, he believes that “Bissaka was stupid in his handling of the shot, and this attack did not require a fall inside the penalty area because the player was not alone in the goalkeeper, in addition to the fact that there was more than one defender inside.” The penalty area, meaning that Elliott was not in a shooting position and the goal was exposed in front of him.”

Source: Al Jazeera + websites