Newcastle vs Liverpool finish ‘just not right’: Keith Hackett fumes at ‘controversy’
Keith Hackett has blasted referee Andy Madley for blowing for creating “controversy” by blowing for full-time in the 3-3 draw between Newcastle and Liverpool.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee exclusively told Football Insider the referee caused an unnecessary issue by ending the game when the Magpies were looking to snatch a late winner on the counterattack on 4 December.
He also went on to suggest that an independent timekeeper should be introduced to decide when to end a game, rather than leaving it at the discretion of the referee.
It was a dramatic game at St James’ Park, in which Eddie Howe’s side twice led the Premier League leaders, but found themselves 3-2 down thanks to a double from Mohammed Salah, who was twice assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold after the right-back came off the bench.
However, Fabian Schar then capitalised on an error from Caoimhin Kelleher to equalise for Newcastle in the final minute of normal time, before an eventful extra five minutes.
Newcastle denied after stoppage time controversy vs Liverpool
That period of stoppage time was eventful, with stoppages including a VAR check for a penalty against Newcastle for a handball, that ultimately was not given.
However, Madley chose to blow for full-time just seconds after the 95th minute had been completed, despite the home side breaking in numbers after a long throw from Nick Pope.
His whistle therefore denied Howe’s side the chance to snatch a famous win over Liverpool, with the Reds looking short on numbers and exposed defensively.
That left Newcastle furious, with Pope booked for his protestations, and Hackett believes they should have been given the chance to win the game.
Giving his verdict on the incident to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I have for a number of years promoted the idea of an independent timekeeper. Law 5 currently supports the referee by stating that the sole timekeeper is the referee.
“However when the 4th official puts up the board for a minimum added time of 5 minutes to be played and you only play five minutes it is another piece of the jigsaw that underpins why the timekeeping of games at the elite level in my opinion should be taken away from the referee.
“[It’s] just not right and Andy Madley has created controversy that could have been avoided with a couple more minutes of added time.”
Having been forced to settle for a point at St James’ Park, Liverpool have seen their lead at the top of the table cut to seven points.
Newcastle meanwhile, have climbed to tenth in the current standings, although they may feel they should be higher after this late controversy potentially saw them miss out on two more points.
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