Ex-PGMOL chief makes his feelings clear over Jeremie Frimpong penalty call vs Arsenal
Referee Anthony Taylor was in a good position to judge the challenge on Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong inside Arsenal’s penalty area.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that there was “insufficient evidence” to award a spot-kick at the Emirates on Thursday, 8 January.
With Mohamed Salah away with Egypt on international duty, Frimpong has been trusted in the right-wing position, and he caused issues for the Gunners’ back line on the counter-attack.
In the 35th minute, Mikel Arteta‘s side played on while the 25-year-old went down holding his ankle, with Liverpool fans crying out for a penalty against Piero Hincapie, but calls fell upon deaf ears.
Hackett has criticised Taylor previously in the season, but the referee was applauded for his actions on this occasion, much to the frustration of travelling fans.
Anthony Taylor spot-on to deny Jeremie Frimpong penalty shout
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Referee Anthony Taylor is in a good position, and there is insufficient evidence that there is contact. Therefore, play was allowed to continue.
“VAR, at this point, is in a position to look at various camera angles to seek and determine if the referee has made a clear and obvious error. There was no request for the referee to visit the pitch-side monitor.
“On this evidence, the referee has erred on the side of safety and caution, and not intervened.”
In real time, there appeared to barely be a touch on the player, but upon watching the replays, there did appear to be a slight tangle of ankles, but unlikely to be enough for a penalty.
Liverpool could have been awarded a penalty in the second half
After picking up the first caution of the game, Leandro Trossard was involved once again, almost giving away a spot-kick just three minutes into the second half.
Bundling Florian Wirtz over in the box, Gary Neville blasted the player’s “clumsy” challenge, labelling it a “risk,” but after a VAR check, the Gunners got away with another controversial incident.
There were several controversial incidents during the game, but this was likely the most dangerous, with Trossard already walking a tightrope, having picked up his yellow card in the 12th minute.
While a VAR check ruled that the referee got the right decision, many will be in disagreement, and those arguments are bound to continue well beyond the final whistle.