By Keith Hackett

18th Dec, 2021 | 8:30am

Ex-Premier League referee slams 'obvious' Dean error as controversial Alexander-Arnold footage emerges from Liverpool

Mike Dean made a major error when he was caught running in front of Trent Alexander Arnold’s goal as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 3-1 yesterday (16 December), according to Keith Hackett.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Dean had been caught out of position and should have tried to run behind Alexander-Arnold as he launched a stunning strike.

The referee found himself in the line of Alexander-Arnold’s shot after the ball fell to him after a short free-kick.

While he may have blocked Martin Dubravka’s line of sight, the Newcastle goalkeeper had little chance of stopping the thunderous strike.

Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports today (17 December) the goal was “outstanding” and “one of the best moments”.

“Mike Dean ran across the kicker, that’s a bit of bad positioning and poor reading of the game,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“If you’re out of position, what young referees are instructed to do is to run behind the player, not in front of him. It’s obvious.

“I can understand what he was trying to do, he was trying to get some width to get a good viewing angle. That’s what he was doing when he moved to the left-hand edge of the penalty area.

“By doing what he did, he crossed the line and obstructed the view.

“He might have been surprised by the player taking the shot. At least he’s up with play but it wasn’t a good piece of officiating.”

In other news, Liverpool have been tipped to hijack a European giant’s talks to sign an 18-goal sensation loved by Jurgen Klopp.