Keith Hackett slams ‘referee’s position’ as Liverpool ‘denied penalty’ vs Fulham
Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz has been branded “theatrical” by Keith Hackett following his side’s defeat to Fulham.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Chris Kavanagh was right not to award the Colombian a penalty in that match after a challenge for Joachim Andersen.
Arne Slot’s side saw their march towards the Premier League title hit a stumbling block as they were beaten 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Sunday (6 April).
However, some of a Liverpool persuasion felt they were unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty that could have earned them an equaliser late on in that game.
Joachim Andersen survives late penalty appeals vs Liverpool
After Fulham were denied an early penalty for challenges from Caoimhin Kelleher and Virgil van Dijk, the visitors took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister’s spectacular long range effort.
Marco Silva‘s side though would rally to lead 3-1 by half time, thanks to goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz.
Liverpool then pulled a goal back through Diaz after he was introduced from the bench, with the attacker seeing appeals for a penalty waved away shortly after.
| Liverpool last five games | Result |
| Southampton (H) | Lost 3-1 |
| PSG (H) | Lost 1-0 (lost 4-1 on penalties) |
| Newcastle (N) | Lost 2-1 |
| Everton (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Fulham (A) | Lost 3-2 |
The Colombian went to ground after contact from Andersen as he looked to control a ball inside the Fulham penalty area.
But despite some appeals from the forward, referee Chris Kavanagh dismissed any claims for a penalty, a decision which was backed up by VAR.
Now Hackett himself has suggested that the decision not to give a penalty after Diaz went to ground was the correct one, and has questioned whether the attacker should have been punished for diving.
Luis Diaz slammed after Liverpool spot-kick claims dismissed
Having been asked by Football Insider if Liverpool could have had a penalty for that challenge on Diaz, Hackett said:
“I do think the referee needed to be closer to the penalty area when he’s making this type of judgement.
“Here’s my view of this: if the referee says it’s not a penalty kick, then is the player guilty of an act of simulation? But they do nothing.
“He doesn’t give a penalty kick and he reviews that the player’s not simulated, maybe because he feels he’s not bought the penalty kick decision.
“So not a penalty kick for me, I want to see a bit more [contact]. This player is a bit theatrical isn’t he, when he goes to ground.”
Liverpool were also lucky not to have Virgil van Dijk punished for an elbow on Sander Berge during the second half of this game.
The Reds will now look to get their title charge back on track when they host West Ham on Sunday (13 April).