Hackett: Diogo Jota should have been punished after cheating in Liverpool v Wolves
Liverpool star Diogo Jota was lucky not to have received a yellow card following an act of simulation against Wolves, Keith Hackett has explained.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 28-year-old should have received a caution for his dive in an attempt to win a penalty, after the referee’s decision was correctly overturned by VAR.
He explained that on-field official Simon Hooper was in a good position to judge the challenge, but VAR correctly intervened to overturn his call.
On the pitch, meanwhile, the decision had little impact as Liverpool secured a comfortable 2-1 win at Anfield with their goals coming via Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
Matheus Cunha got the visitors on the scoresheet after 67 minutes, but they were unable to complete a comeback in a match packed with controversy.
Diogo Jota at centre of Liverpool v Wolves controversy
It was an important result for Arne Slot’s side as they bounced back from their midweek Merseyside Derby disappointment following the 2-2 draw against Everton.
Having led the game 2-0 at half-time, Liverpool will be frustrated with the pressure they came under late in the game, and are keen to avoid dropping sloppy points.
Picking up all three points from a difficult clash has allowed the Reds to maintain their seven-point gap at the top of the table with 13 games still to play.
Wolves, meanwhile, remain just two points outside the relegation zone after Ipswich picked up an impressive point on the road against Aston Villa.
Keith Hackett surprised as Diogo Jota avoids card v Wolves
Jota, however, went unpunished despite the benefit of the VAR replays which showed the referee a clear dive which would usually warrant a booking.
Despite the benefits of the replays, VAR is not permitted to make yellow-card decisions and could not inform Hooper to caution the forward.
“The referee was in a good position to judge the challenge,” he told Football Insider.
“Very good intervention by VAR and the overturn of the penalty kick award.
“Jota rather fortunate not to be yellow carded for an act of simulation.
“When Jota went to ground and referee hooper awarded a free kick, that was rightly overturned after a VAR intervention.
“Why wasn’t Jota yellow carded for an act of simulation?”
It was an eventful performance from Jota, who was later replaced by Darwin Nunez after 64 minutes as Slot looked to get a hold on the second half.
However, many supporters and neutrals, including Hackett, were left frustrated by the decision not to punish the forward for a clear and proven act of simulation.
After successfully deceiving the referee, the expectation would be for him to receive a yellow card, but a VAR loophole saw him go unpunished.
For more Liverpool news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.