Ex-Uefa official lambasts referee as Jordan Henderson ‘wrestling’ footage emerges from Liverpool
Andre Marriner was “weak” to not make a decision when Jordan Henderson and Sean Longstaff were “wrestling” in the penalty area as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 2-1 on Wednesday (31 September).
That is the view of ex-Uefa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, the pair were jostling in the penalty area as Liverpool prepared to take a corner.
Henderson appealed to Marriner for a penalty but he waved play on and Alexander Isak finished off a Newcastle counterattack only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
“I think this was six of one and half a dozen of the other,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“For me, they were both wrestling each other. This is the dilemma for referees because you can’t do that in a football match.
“I think the referee has got a good view of it and ignored it.
“In fact, he has two things he could do. He could award a free kick against Liverpool or a penalty kick against Newcastle United, he did neither so all you get is this continuation of wrestling in the penalty going unchecked.
“For me, that was weak refereeing.
“It’s not football. The referee has probably seen it as six of one, half a dozen of the other and ignored it.”
Liverpool only earned three points at Anfield thanks to a last-minute Fabio Carvalho goal.
The Reds are now sixth in the Premier League table and face Everton on Saturday (3 September).
In other news, a medical insider has claimed Thiago Alcantara could miss “half the season” as new Liverpool details emerge.