Exclusive: Attwell call explained in odd Diogo Jota Liverpool v Newcastle incident
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota was through on goal before Stuart Attwell stopped play and it was a smart decision, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the decision to not play advantage following Fabian Schar’s foul was a sensible decision.
Arne Slot was serving a touchline ban following a red card against Everton, and the Dutch manager watched his side dispatch Newcastle clinically.
Mohamed Salah thought he had earnt a penalty for Liverpool, but the Egyptian saw the foul call go against him instead, in the sixth minute.
Just five minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai gave the Reds the lead after a clinical counter-attack, assisted by Newcastle transfer target Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister sealed all three points in the 63rd minute.
The result, and Arsenal‘s failure to beat Nottingham Forest, now see the Merseyside club extend their lead at the top of the table to 13 points.
Ex-PGMOL chief praises Stuart Attwell in Liverpool vs Newcastle
With 25 minutes on the clock, a long, lofted pass was sent in the direction of Jota.
As the Liverpool striker so often does, he held off his larger opponent, and eventually managed to muscle his way past the grasp of Schar.
In almost the same move, the former Wolves striker poked the ball past the on-rushing Dan Burn, and looked to be through on goal.
However, much to the displeasure of Ally McCoist on commentary, Attwell halted play to award Liverpool a foul near the half-way line, with Jota appearing to be through on goal.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Jota |
| Appearances | 17 |
| Starts | 10 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Minutes | 821 |
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, explained why it was the correct decision:
“When you have physical contact by both players, as in this particular instance, you have to adopt ‘safe refereeing’ tactics recognising that if you apply an advantage, you are leaving a scene of conflict that could break out into an escalation of an offence.
“Attwell is not taking any risks here.”
Liverpool almost Premier League champions after Arsenal fumble
Salah may become the Ballon d’Or winner later this year, when Liverpool seal the Premier League title.
With Arsenal once again dropping points, it would take a catastrophic turn of events to deny the Reds their second ever Premier League crown.
Arne Slot has been a miraculous appointment, and despite his frustrations at losing to Forest earlier in the season, he has them to thank as the Gunners failed to win.