Ex-Fifa official makes U-turn as new Virgil van Dijk footage emerges from Liverpool
Keith Hackett has insisted Liverpool can have no complaints with Fulham’s penalty in the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage on Saturday (6 August).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee admitted he initially thought Aleksandar Mitrovic had dived after Virgil van Dijk’s challenge but on further inspection, Andy Madley had got the decision right.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Mitrovic poked the ball past Van Dijk before the pair clashed knees and fell to the ground.
Madley, who was positioned on the edge of the D, quickly pointed to the spot and VAR official Stuart Attwell did not intervene after reviewing the footage.
Mitrovic converted from the spot to make it 2-1 but it not enough to secure the three points for Fulham as Mohamed Salah scored an equaliser 10 minutes before the final whistle.
“Ultimately, I think this was a very good decision by the referee,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I have to tell you, on first viewing, I didn’t think this was a penalty kick, I couldn’t see it. I thought the player had simulated, that was my first impression.
“Then when they slow it down, you can see the knee. I think this was a very good decision by the referee and it was good that VAR did not come in. It was a good bit of refereeing.
“Initially I was critical on social media after seeing the clip and I thought it was a dive.”
After a poor start to the season, Liverpool are next in action next Monday (15 August) when Crystal Palace visit Anfield.
The following Monday (22 August) they then travel to Man United.
In other news, Liverpool may have found the next Luis Suarez amid a “big” reveal.