That was a busy period for Liverpool, as another chapter in Jurgen Klopp’s final season was written, this time at the City Ground in a contentious manner.
Nottingham Forest fans’ public enemy number one is most likely Paul Tierney, whose ‘incorrect’ mistake resulted in Darwin Nunez’s last-gasp victory on Saturday.
Dermot Gallagher became involved in the chaos that ensued following Liverpool’s victory, with numerous Nottingham Forest fans, including owner Evangelos Marinakis, being booked.
According to the ex-referee, Paul Tierney made the ‘incorrect’ decision not to return the ball to the home team when Ibrahima Konate clashed with Caoimhin Kelleher inside the penalty area.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who had the ball when the whistle blew for the Liverpool defender’s head injury, should have had the ball back unopposed, but it was given to the other team.
The Nottingham Forest coaching staff vented their frustration on the touchline at that point, but play proceeded, and Darwin Nunez scored a critical winner 1 minute and 50 seconds later.
While Dermot Gallagher accepted that the law was not applied appropriately, he made it clear that what happened next had no bearing on Liverpool’s goal.
Paul Tierney is under criticism following Liverpool’s late winner at Nottingham Forest.
“Well, if you watch here, Kelleher hits Konate and then if you run it on, watch the referee,” Gallagher added.
“If you stop taking pictures now, the referee will whistle. He whistled when Hudson-Odoi had the ball.
“Now, the law stipulates that if he had stopped it when Konate was hit by Kelleher, the ball would have to be placed in the penalty area and given to Kelleher. No issue.
“But the ball has been cleared from the box, Paul Tierney has not whistled, and he should return the ball to Hudson-Odoi, who will then have the ball uncontested.” Paul Tierney did not accomplish it, for whatever reason.
“It’s just an improper restart in law. The fact that Liverpool scored is a bit of a red herring for me considering it took 1 minute and 50 seconds on the pitch. The ball travels forward, backward, and even out for a throw-in. It’s just a wrong restart in law; for me, it doesn’t immediately relate to a goal.”
Premier League title battle.
As you can imagine, Arsenal and Manchester City fans would have been irritated and upset by the call.
This directly affects them because the Reds are now four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who face rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
On Monday night, Arsenal will face Sheffield United, who are currently at the bottom of the table.
Every aspect is now being scrutinized as Nunez secures yet another important victory for his side.
