‘Wrong call’ – Ex-PGMOL chief fumes after analysing controversial Liverpool vs Burnley footage
Keith Hackett believes that Liverpool should not have been awarded a penalty against Burnley after Cody Gakpo was taken down by Florentino Luis.
The former PGMOL boss and FIFA referee has exclusively told Football Insider that referee Andy Madley was wrong to point to the spot as there was not enough contact on Gakpo for him to go down.
Liverpool welcomed Burnley to Anfield with the aim of extending their unbeaten run to 12 games and staying close to the Premier League’s top three.
They were handed a golden chance to go one up in the first half as Gakpo won a penalty from Florentino’s foul, but Dominik Szoboszlai crashed his spot-kick against the crossbar.
Florian Wirtz soon put the hosts into the lead, but Marcus Edwards levelled just after the hour mark, and it ended 1-1 between Liverpool and Burnley as Arne Slot’s side dropped two valuable points on home turf.
Gakpo won a penalty despite minimal contact with Florentino
Liverpool were much the better side early on, and they felt vindicated when Madley pointed to the spot in the 32nd minute as Gakpo went down under a challenge from Florentino.
The Dutchman had received the ball from Curtis Jones on the left side of the area before shifting the ball onto his right foot and trying to get past the Clarets midfielder before going down.
There was contact between the pair, but even though replays showed that Gakpo was the one who initiated it, VAR reviewed the call and saw fit to let it stand.
Szoboszlai did go on to miss the spot-kick, with Burnley likely feeling like justice was served as they went on to earn a huge point in their fight to stay up.
Hackett fumes at Madley and VAR for Gakpo penalty call
When Liverpool faced Brentford in October, Hackett told Football Insider that Gakpo was right not to be given a penalty in a challenge with Nathan Collins, but Madley fell for his tricks this time around.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider this time around, he said: “What a poor penalty decision by referee Andy Madley. We see at corner kicks, holding, pulling blocking going unpunished.
“I struggle to see any offence that would see a penalty kick awarded to Liverpool. (This was the) wrong call by the officials.”