Exclusive: Michael Oliver ‘wrong’ on Everton v Liverpool call as Slot goes ‘mental’
Michael Oliver was wrong to award a free-kick to Everton that allowed them to open the scoring against Liverpool, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was no foul by Ibrahima Konate on Iliman Ndiaye to justify the award of a set-piece.
Oliver has been at the centre of plenty of scrutiny recently, after his controversial dismissal of Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves.
That led to Oliver facing intense abuse from Arsenal fans, although Hackett believes he will again be under the spotlight after what was a crucial decision in the derby between Liverpool and Everton.
Michael Oliver makes big call to cost Liverpool at Everton
On Tuesday (12 February), the two clubs faced off in the final Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park.
It was the hosts who took the lead in that game, when Everton striker Beto continued his good form by latching onto a through ball from a free-kick and firing under Alisson.
That set-piece was awarded by Oliver after Ndiaye went down theatrically under a challenge from Konate midway inside the Liverpool half.
Replays though showed that there was little if no contact from the centre-back on the Everton forward, which has led to a critical analysis on Oliver’s decision from Hackett.
Keith Hackett reacts to key free-kick awarded in Merseyside derby
Speaking to Football Insider about the decision to award that set-piece to Everton, the former referee said:
“Liverpool were on the wrong end of a poor decision by Michael Oliver to award Everton a free kick which led to their first goal. There was no foul. Oliver got it wrong.”
Arne Slot’s side would quickly hit back to level in this match at Goodison Park, as Mo Salah continued his excellent campaign for the Reds.
His pinpoint cross was headed in by Alexis Mac Allister to pull the score back to 1-1 by half time, before Mohamed Salah put his side ahead after Jarrad Branthwaite had a goal ruled out.
But James Tarkowski slammed a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser home to salvage a point in the final Goodison Park derby.