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Keith Hackett Gives Verdict on Jeremie Frimpong Penalty Call
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has explained why Liverpool weren’t awarded a penalty in their 0-0 draw against Arsenal. The two Premier League giants settled on a point at the Emirates, but the visitors had two penalty calls waved away.
The one in question came in the 35th minute when Jeremie Frimpong went down in the box after a challenge from Piero Hincapie. The Dutch winger held his ankle while on the ground, but referee Anthony Taylor turned down his pleas for a spot-kick.
On first review, it didn’t look like there was much contact, but when footage of their coming together was slowed down, Hincapie’s boot did make contact with the Dutchman. It was a hot topic of discussion after the stalemate, which meant Arne Slot’s men remain 14 points behind Mikel Arteta’s league leaders.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool: Hackett on Frimpong Penalty Shout
Hackett agreed with Taylor’s decision not to give a penalty as he felt it wasn’t a clear and obvious error. The former Premier League referee told Football Insider:
“Referee Anthony Taylor is in a good position, and there is insufficient evidence that there is contact. Therefore, play was allowed to continue. VAR, at this point, is in a position to look at various camera angles to seek and determine if the referee has made a clear and obvious error. There was no request for the referee to visit the pitch-side monitor.”
He added:
“On this evidence, the referee has erred on the side of safety and caution, and not intervened.”
Frimpong has been used on the right wing in the absence of Mohamed Salah, who is away at the African Cup of Nations. His pace caused issues tonight, including when he looked to break past Hincapie before going to ground.
The 25-year-old wasn’t the only one to have a penalty turned down by Taylor, as Florian Wirtz also appealed for a spot-kick in the second half. The German attacking midfielder was prevented from getting onto a loose ball by Leandro Trossard and went down after the pair collided.
Wirtz was adamant it was a penalty, and Gary Neville on Sky Sports commentary thought it was clumsy from Trossard. But there was to be no opportunity for the Merseyside giants to convert from the spot, and they instead took a point back to Anfield.
Arne Slot on Liverpool’s Performance
Slot was without several key men for the trip to the Emirates, including French forward Hugo Ekitike, who has been his best attacker this season. The Dutch coach started with Cody Gakpo up top and his side lacked a killer instinct.
They did go close through Conor Bradley, who hit the crossbar with a long-range attempt after a mix-up between Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and William Saliba. It was one of their seven attempts on the night in a cagey game that was crying out for a goal.
Slot was pleased with the display from his troops but rued not beating the league leaders. He told Sky Sports:
“Maybe in the end I’m still a little disappointed we didn’t win but a good performance.”
Next up for Liverpool is an FA Cup third-round encounter with EFL League One outfit Barnsley, who visit Anfield on Monday (January 12th). He’s likely to be without Bradley, who suffered a serious injury in the latter stages of tonight’s game.
Slot can afford to rotate for the game against the Tykes, which will give some of his most-used players the chance to rest. An injury crisis has plagued his side recently, with Alexander Isak sidelined with a fractured leg.
