Agbonlahor issues ‘fierce’ claim as controversial Trent Alexander-Arnold image emerges from Liverpool
Tottenham did not deserve a penalty for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s challenge on Ryan Sessegnon in their 2-1 loss to Liverpool last weekend (6 November), according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted Alexander-Arnold’s push was “minimal” compared to Joao Cancelo’s “fierce” challenge in Man City’s 2-1 win over Fulham (5 November).
In Liverpool’s win over Tottenham, Sessegnon went down in the first half after he had got beyond Alexander-Arnold in the penalty area.
Referee Andy Madley waved away Spurs’ appeals and VAR did not feel he had made a clear and obvious error so did not intervene.
At the Etihad, Cancelo was sent off and gave away a penalty for his challenge on Harry Wilson and there were suggestions they were similar incidents.
“No, it [the Trent challenge] is not a penalty for me, no way,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The push from Trent was so minimal that, for me, it was not a penalty.
“The one from Cancelo in the Man City game was a lot more fierce, the shoulder barge. That was a penalty because it wasn’t shoulder-to-shoulder, it was shoulder-to-back.
“The Trent one was just a little push, not a two-handed push. I think that was the right decision.”
Alexander-Arnold‘s defensive ability has been scrutinised this season but he was named in the England World Cup squad on Thursday (10 November).
The 24-year-old has three goals but no assists in 19 appearances all competitions this term.
In other news, Liverpool have been backed to complete a striker signing after a Roberto Firmino reveal.