Ian Wright thinks Arsenal were awarded a very soft penalty against Liverpool
Speaking in an interview with Premier League Productions as quoted by Liverpool Echo, Arsenal legend Ian Wright thinks that the match-deciding penalty that was awarded to the Gunners against Liverpool was rather soft and should not have been given.
In what was an evenly poised match at 2-2, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Gabriel Jesus was adjudged to have been fouled in the box whilst challenging for a ball by Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Whilst there is no doubt that there was contact from Thiago on Jesus, both players were challenging for the ball and if anything, the Brazilian striker seemed to waiting for the contact to happen.
Ultimately, it was that decision that tilted the game in favour of Mikel Arteta’s side. Bukayo Saka who stepped up to take the penalty dispatched it with confidence past Alisson Becker to give Arsenal the lead.
Whilst there is an argument that can be made that the result was fairly justified considering the balance of the game. Arsenal were for large parts the better team on the day but that penalty was not justified.
When someone like Ian Wright, an Arsenal legend comes up with an assessment in favour of Liverpool, it is easy to understand how wrong the call was.
“When I see that, and as much as I am delighted my team has gone top of the league, I’ve got to look at that and say I can’t see where the foul is. I don’t feel there is enough contact for him to go down like he has. He has not swung out at him and caught him on the move, he is behind him and it is minimum contact”
The result has now meant that Liverpool are 14 points behind the league leaders and have a lot of catching up to do. They face Manchester City next and it is going to be no easy task to get the better of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Liverpool will come head-to-head with a rampant Erling Haaland this weekend. The Norwegian looks almost unstoppable this season and Virgil van Dijk & co will have a huge task on their hands.
More Liverpool News
- Virgil van Dijk speaks about the performance in a disappointing 2-3 loss to Arsenal
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives injury update on Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold after Arsenal loss
- Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp talks about his opinion about the penalty against Arsenal
The Man City clash is crucial for the Reds and is a must-win game. Anything other than the three points and it will be safe to say that Liverpool will be out of the running for the Premier League title this season.
