Ex-Premier League referee: Naby Keita deserves extended ban as controversial Liverpool footage analysed
Naby Keita should have been sent off as Liverpool beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup final on penalties last night (27 February), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee also suggested Trevoh Chalobah should have been shown a yellow card for his role in the controversy.
The two players challenged for a loose ball just before the hour mark at Wembley and were unpunished.
Chalobah revealed afterwards, via Twitter, that he had to get stitches following the charge and questioned why the referee’s decision to let play continue.
A red card would have seen Keita, 27, banned for Liverpool’s next three domestic games.
“It fulfils the red card,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“There is no question in my mind, it endangers the safety of an opponent as the boot lands in a very vulnerable place.
“VAR should have come in. Even if he goes to the screen and says he is happy with his decision, that’s how it should happen.
“The difficulty here is the VAR didn’t come in and expose the referee to what is, in my opinion, a clear and obvious error.
“It’s a red card offence but the opponent also came in in a reckless manner.
“The outcome, for me, is a red card for the Liverpool player and a yellow for the Chelsea player as a reckless challenge. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
“I’m convinced, even though it might upset quite a few people because Liverpool fans are always vociferous.
“The referee just needs another look at it. It’s a clear and obvious error because he’s not taking any action.
“If Stuart Attwell was to look again at the monitor and we need a principle that says he is the final arbiter. Every time they go to the screen they change their decision based on what they are told.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Liverpool are set for ‘significant revenue gains’ after a sponsor announcement.