Credit: Imago / TNT Sports

Harri Burton

Mon 11 May 2026 10:32, UK

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Liverpool can have no qualms over not being awarded a penalty after claims that Jorrel Hato handled the ball in the area.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Chelsea defender deservedly went unpunished after blocking a cross with his arm.

In the 59th minute, with the score tied at 1-1, Arne Slot’s side were pushing for an equaliser at Anfield on Saturday, 9 May, and the home side were absolutely desperate for a spot-kick.

Hato had thrown himself in front of the ball, with his trailing arm being struck by Jeremie Frimpong’s attempted cross into the box, only for penalty claims to be waved away by Craig Pawson and VAR in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw.

Jorrel Hato rightfully escapes penalty claims at Anfield

Home supporters were furious that their side weren’t awarded a spot-kick, having to settle for just a point at Anfield, but Hackett believes that the correct decision was made by the officials.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “It’s an easy one. Under the law, the fact that he’s in contact with the floor, there’s little he can do to avoid the ball striking him. 

“This is football. Every time the ball strikes a hand, we see all the fans shouting for a penalty. But in the law, it’s not a penalty kick. The match officials have made the correct decision.” 

A point was enough for the Reds to keep their fourth-place spot in the Premier League table, with Aston Villa also slipping up to Burnley, but it was a frustrating result for Slot and his players.

Arne Slot under mounting pressure as Liverpool boss

The Reds are just four points away from slipping out of the Champions League spots, but with two games remaining, it doesn’t appear likely that anything else is coming to Anfield this season.

Despite the latest update that Slot is being backed by the Liverpool owners, fans are growing increasingly frustrated by the team’s performances and even the manager’s decisions during games.

While Slot put the decision down to an injury, a chorus of boos rang around Anfield when Rio Ngumoha was substituted against Chelsea, having been given very few minutes earlier in the season.

That is just one example of how the manager has frustrated those on Merseyside, and it is about to get harder for the Dutchman, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson confirmed to be leaving this summer.