Video .. Is Napoli penalty against Liverpool correct?

Nasser Sadiq *

Fans of Champions League holders Liverpool have launched a scathing attack on the referee of their match against Napoli on social media because of their doubts about the validity of the penalty, which scored the first goal and paved the way for winning two goals in the first round of the group Fifth.

Belgian Deris Mertens scored the first goal for Napoli from the penalty awarded by German referee Felix Brech in the 80th minute.

The referee's decision may seem correct at first glance because the Liverpool defender did not succeed in playing the ball played by the Naples striker, and there is a clear challenge after which the striker fell.

But the fact that the right decision should have been an indirect free kick on the attacker, and must be warned to circumvent the referee betrayed by his long experience in this shot, which did not improve the video assistant (Var) also appreciated, although it is his main task.

Evidence that the penalty is incorrect is evident in the case of the focus on the jump after touching the ball towards the defender's leg and body to create a docking then fall to the ground in a skillful scene shown by videos and replays, in which the defender did not commit any irregularities.

The Liverpool manager commented on the defeat of his team by emphasizing the incorrectness of the penalty, which marred the approach of the Reds to draw a taste of victory away from home.

* Former international rule