Ex-Fifa official claims big name could be facing ban as Cody Gakpo-Liverpool footage screened
Keith Hackett has claimed Scott McTominay avoided a red card in Liverpool's record 7-0 win over Man United as his challenge on Cody Gakpo was "reckless" rather than "dangerous".
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested the fact that the 26-year-old won the ball may have also been a mitigating factor.
As seen in footage posted to Twitter by Sky Sports (6 March), McTominay can be seen catching Gakpo high after winning the ball with a sliding tackle.
The Scotland international was booked for his challenge by referee Andy Madley and the VAR chose to uphold that decision after a review.
The challenge came at a time in the game when the Man United players lost discipline as they fell to a record 7-0 loss at Anfield.
McTominay has been yellow-carded eight times this term despite playing a bit-part role under Erik ten Hag.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It came really close to a red.
“I think the referee and VAR gave him the benefit of the doubt by deciding it was reckless rather than dangerous.
“He does win the ball, so he is more than entitled to be sliding in for the challenge.
“I think the referee got it just about right with a yellow. But in another game, you might see red for that – and I don’t think it would have been overturned.
“It was very close.”