Mohamed Salah was denied the opportunity to put Liverpool ahead against Inter Milan after referee Szymon Marciniak blew for half-time when he appeared to be through on goal.
Liverpool were held to a goalless first half at the San Siro on Wednesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie against Inter.
Both teams had chances to score in the opening 45 minutes, with Sadio Mane going close for Liverpool and Hakan Calhanoglu hitting the bar for the Italian club.
However, In the closing moments of the half, Salah latched onto a ball in midfield and appeared to be clean through on goal. But the counter-attack was brought to an end when Marciniak blew for half-time with a few seconds still to be played.
Salah was visibly frustrated by the decision, with Liverpool supporters on social media also voicing their frustration during the break.
“Terrible officiating I must say. Why blow for halftime when Salah was through on goal?,” wrote one fan.
Another added: “Anyone else saw Salah on the ball and there was 8 seconds left but referee blew the whistle?” “Thanks ref Salah was on his way,” added a third.
Liverpool would eventually go on to win the game 2-0 thanks to late goals from Roberto Firmino and Salah, who shook hands with Marciniak at the final whistle.
It is not the first time the Reds have been frustrated by the Polish referee. He took charge of their 1-0 Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid back in 2020.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was upset with the official throughout the clash and was shown a yellow card during the defeat.
Klopp later conceded: “I deserved it. I was just shouting in the direction, no bad words, I was not swearing. “I was just unhappy with the overall performance and in that moment it finally came out and the ref didn’t like it too much.”
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