Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes a crucial officiating error occurred during Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Southampton.
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Arne Slot’s side rallied from behind to defeat Southampton, establishing a commanding 16-point lead at the Premier League summit, just before Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday. ..Continue Reading
Will Smallbone opened the scoring for Southampton just before the break, pushing the league’s bottom side ahead. An angry Slot, watching from the stands due to his two-match touchline ban, responded with a triple substitution to alter the game.
Liverpool responded emphatically after the changes, securing a comeback win with Darwin Nunez netting once and Mohamed Salah converting two penalties, the first of which was won by Nunez in an impressive second-half performance from the forward.
Dean, however, has argued that Liverpool should not have been able to mount their comeback, insisting that Smallbone’s goal should have been disallowed for offside by VAR, according to the Mirror.
The controversial goal stemmed from a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, which allowed Smallbone to capitalize near the six-yard box.
Upon further review, Mateus Fernandes appeared to have intercepted a pass from Alisson, directing it toward Smallbone.
Fernandes’ pass seemed to leave Smallbone in an offside position, ahead of Alisson and all other Liverpool defenders. Despite this, VAR official Matt Donohue appeared to overlook the incident, and referee Lewis Smith allowed the goal to stand.
Dean, speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday at the time of the goal, noticed Smallbone was offside. He said: “I’m just worried about the goal. They’ve obviously checked it with VAR, but I’ve looked at it three or four times, I’m convinced it is offside.
“The Southampton player has gone to challenge the keeper, it’s touched his foot and gone forward and Smallbone’s left foot seems to be in front of the defender. Unless there was another defender outside that we can’t pick up on the TV, but he looks offside in my opinion.”
Southampton’s 3-1 loss leaves them languishing on nine points, a full 14 behind 17th placed Wolves.
