Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Amara Nallo Liverpool debut incident
Amara Nallo was rightly shown a red card on his Liverpool debut as the Reds were beaten by PSV in the Champions League, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that a challenge by the 18-year-old fulfilled the criteria to be deemed a denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
With their place in the last 16 of the competition already secure, Arne Slot named a much-changed for their trip to the Netherlands on Wednesday (29 January), where they ultimately slipped to a 3-2 defeat.
One major disappointment for Liverpool will have been around how things played out for Nallo on his senior debut, although Hackett believes the right decision was reached after the defender was sent off.
Liverpool teenager sees debut end in quick disappointment
With 83 minutes on the clock, Slot brought the youngster off the bench to replace fellow prospect Jayden Danns.
However, the centre-back remained on the pitch for just four minutes before being dismissed for bringing down Johan Bakayoko with the PSV winger looking to get through on goal.
Given the presence of a covering Liverpool in the form of Jarell Quansah, some felt it was harsh to send Nallo for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Hackett though has suggested there is enough doubt about whether the centre-back would have made it to Bakayoko for this to be considered the correct decision, even if he admits it was a close one.
When asked by Football Insider whether it was right to send Nallo off, the former referee said:
“When considering the Denial of an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity the first decision is to determine did the defender commit a foul. That itself is a tight decision given the actual delay in the forward going to ground.
“Now the next consideration is, the law states denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick.
“Now we look at the remainder of the Law Criteria, the following must be considered: distance between the offence and the goal; general direction of the play; likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball; location and number of defenders.
“There is no doubt that he is heading for goal and a likelihood of gaining control of the ball. Now comes an element of doubt in addition to is it a foul or not. Would that covering defender been able to catch the attacker up and make a challenge?
“There is too much doubt in that. So the referee awards a free kick for the foul, there is some subjectivity around that but he is in a good position to judge and does not hesitate to blow for a free kick
“I am okay with that. The remainder of the DOGSO law is fulfilled. No grounds for an appeal on this, the referee’s judgement was sound.”
Despite defeat, Liverpool still finished top of the overall Champions League group phase after winning all of their seven previous matches in that stage.
They will now face one of French trio PSG, Monaco, Brest or Portuguese giants Benfica in the last 16 of the competition.
In other news, Liverpool fans have blasted Jamie Carragher for his recent selection.
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