After Liverpool overcame Inter Milan with a rather contentious penalty, Arne Slot’s side were handed a penalty verdict from UEFA
UEFA have clarified why Liverpool were handed a controversial penalty against Inter Milan – despite Andrew Robertson admitting it was a “soft” decision. Dominik Szoboszlai took over penalty duties from the absent Mohamed Salah and smashed home a late winner from 12-yards for Arne Slot’s side.
It proved a crucial moment for the reigning Premier League champions, who had earlier seen Ibrahima Konate’s header be controversially chalked off for handball following a VAR review. Whilst the Reds were arguably hard done by with their opening goal being disallowed, Alan Shearer stated they were lucky to be awarded their second-half penalty.
Florian Wirtz, who had made an impressive impact after coming on as a substitute, was inside the box when he felt Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni grab the back of his shirt. The £116m player hit the deck after sensing the shirt tug, though his appeal was initially waved away.
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Nevertheless, referee Felix Zwayer was instructed to check the pitchside monitor to determine whether the shirt pull warranted a penalty. The match official concluded it did and awarded the spot-kick.
Szoboszlai then confidently converted an emphatic penalty beyond Inter keeper Yann Sommer. UEFA swiftly provided their reasoning behind the official’s decision.
Their explanation said: “VAR review complete. Decision overturned: penalty awarded. Penalty – foul. Inter’s player, No95, pulled an opponent from the back.”
Shearer claimed the Inter squad would be “fuming” with the decision, whilst ex-Premier League official Mark Clattenburg shared his expert view on the call. The Newcastle-based former referee stated: “It was a shirt pull.
“However, that shirt pull…the player went down straight afterward. You know what, this is what is crazy about VAR. We all agree, as football people, that this is not a penalty and now he is going to end up giving this as a penalty because of the shirt pull and the slow motion replays.”
Given the controversial nature of the disallowed goal, Slot, his squad and Liverpool fans might argue they deserved a slice of luck. It capped off a superb away display in the Champions League for the Reds.
Even Liverpool defender Robertson conceded the penalty was rather generous. The Scotland international commented: “The penalty. It looked soft. But, if it’s anywhere also on the pitch it probably gets given. Thankfully we got that one.”
Prior to kick-off, Inter had triumphed in 14 of their previous 17 fixtures at the San Siro across all competitions. Slot’s team also made the trip to Italy without Salah, who remained in Liverpool following his furious tirade after the 3-3 away stalemate with Leeds United.
The outcome lifted Liverpool to 8th place in the Champions League standings on 12 points, though numerous other sides are yet to feature tomorrow night.
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