Clattenburg stated that Cody Gakpo ‘anticipated the contact’ from Nathan Collins and praised Hooper for making the correct call. ..Continue Reading
Liverpool were beaten 3-2 on Saturday, continuing a poor run of form that has seen them lose six of their last seven matches across all competitions.
After the game, a frustrated Arne Slot argued that ‘every referee in the world’ would have awarded a penalty for Collins’ challenge.
Hooper dismissed Liverpool’s appeals, and Brentford quickly extended their lead when Kevin Schade scored to make it 2-0. On the Whistleblowers podcast, Clattenburg described Hooper’s decision as ‘one of the best decisions’ he’s witnessed this season.
“I have been a big critic of referees recently, but I want to praise Simon Hooper here,” Clattenburg began. “There’s a couple of things a referee is going to look at.
“First, is the defender’s leg planted before any contact. The leg was already there. The second is to look at the attacker’s arms. If you watch a school child fall in the playground, they automatically put out their arms out to protect themselves.
“Watch Gakpo’s reaction – his hands are in the air, and that tells me he’s looking for the decision. He sees Collins’ leg and anticipates it. That gives a top referee all the signs they need to play on.
“It’s probably one of the best decisions I have seen this season. There’s huge pressure, it’s one of the biggest sides in the country. To make that decision in a split-second is incredible.”
Clattenburg wasn’t the only one who agreed. VAR official Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident and also concluded it wasn’t a penalty.
Clattenburg further commented that Gakpo’s fall showed the ‘telltale signs’ of simulation. “If you fall, your natural reaction is to put your arms out to protect yourself,” the ex-ref continued.
“If you don’t put your hands up, you’re going to hurt yourself. We’re looking for natural reactions. That’s a telltale sign.”
Later in the match, Liverpool were involved in another controversial penalty call, this time overseen by a different referee. Virgil van Dijk made contact with Brentford’s Dango Ouattara near the edge of the area, and Tim Robinson—who had taken over from Hooper due to injury—initially awarded a free-kick.
However, VAR determined the foul occurred on the line, placing it inside the penalty area. Igor Thiago converted the spot-kick to make it 3-1, before Mo Salah scored a late goal for Liverpool.
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