Liverpool news: Diogo Jota should get extended ban as controversial image missed by MOTD emerges – ex-Premier League ref
Diogo Jota should have been sent off as Liverpool beat West Ham 1-0 on Saturday (5 March), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed VAR should have intervened and punished Jota for his challenge on Pablo Fornals late on at Anfield.
The attacker, 25, was shown a yellow card for the incident which was missed by the BBC’s cameras for their Match of the Day programme.
West Ham boss David Moyes told the club’s website he thought Jota should have been given his marching orders.
A straight red card would have seen him banned for Liverpool’s next three domestic games – trips to Brighton and Arsenal in the Premier League and their FA Cup quarter-final.
“It doesn’t look great,” Hackett said after analysing the image with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“These are the sorts of challenges when they are highlighted and you look at the video you see something but when you are in the middle of the park, it’s difficult to see it.
“He’s a lucky guy that he got a yellow. There is an element of doubt in there.
“The referee obviously sees it as reckless but the photograph shows it’s worse than reckless, it’s a red card offence.
“VAR could have come to the assistance of John Moss on that one.”
Saturday’s win over West Ham was Jota’s first Premier League appearance since he suffered an ankle injury last month.
The Portugal star has 17 goals and three assists in 35 games across all competitions for the Reds this season.
In other news, it can be revealed Liverpool are on course to make a “phenomenal” £550million announcement.