By Russell Edge

4th Mar, 2018 | 3:54pm

Newcastle star delivers honest verdict on moment which had Liverpool fans enraged

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles has said that he feels as though the officials got a late call involving him and Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah spot on despite the feelings of the Anfield crowd.

The Egyptian winger, who had already scored on the way to the Reds’ 2-0 victory on Saturday, broke through the Newcastle defence and was left to battle Lacelles as he bore down on goal.

The Magpies’ captain brought down the fleet footed forward inside the Magpies’ penalty box but despite calls from the home fans, referee Graham Scott chose to give nothing, leaving the Anfield faithful enraged despite victory.

However, Lascelles says Scott got the decision right, admitting he himself had needed video footage to confirm his initial thoughts.

He told the Chronicle: “To be honest at the time I thought ‘yeah’ (it was not a foul).

“I have looked back at the video and it’s outside the box and I do actually get a slight touch on the ball.

“I think the referee has made the right decision. Initially the fans all thought penalty and sending off.”

Football Insider verdict

Lascelles may well count himself a lucky man, for a red card would have been a major blow to the Magpies’ hopes of beating Southampton in a crunch survival clash next weekend, even if they had made an appeal against his dismissal. There would have been plenty of other referees who would have handed Newcastle’s captain his marching orders, and the video footage could be argued both ways as to whether it was worth a red card or not. Still, he escaped his punishment and will be hoping to lead the Magpies to a much better performance when they welcome the Saints to St James’ Park next Saturday.

In other Newcastle United news, one high flying manager is predicting a transfer battle involving the Magpies in the summer.