Ex-Premier League referee: Raheem Sterling winner v Liverpool should have stood as new analysis emerges
Keith Hackett has admitted he would have liked Raheem Sterling’s offside goal to have not been disallowed as Man City drew 2-2 with Liverpool yesterday (10 April).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed the video technology was not up to scratch and Sterling may have been offside.
The 27-year-old thought he had scored against his former side to give City a 3-2 lead only for it to be ruled out following a VAR review.
He was played in behind the Liverpool defence before finishing calmly past Alisson only for the goal to be overturned.
Micah Richards told Sky Sports that the decision was “harsh” and Hackett suggested the benefit of the doubt should have gone to the attacker.
“It was offside, ultimately,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Richards is a great pundit and I sympathise with his view.
“It was a goal that was ruled out correctly in law but I would have liked it to have been given.
“However you look at it and however they adjust the technology, it is still flawed in my opinion.
“You’re taking a line where the speed of camera is low and the milliseconds with players of this quality can give you a false account.”
Another goal for City would have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points with seven games left to play.
Pep Guardiola’s side arguably have the more favourable run-in as they have to face Tottenham and Man United.
In other news, Pep Guardiola’s ‘biggest problem’ at Man City has been exposed as an ‘unhappy’ Phil Foden claim emerges.