Oodles of controversy in the early afternoon Premier League kick-off.
Liverpool were on the brink of three points until a penalty was awarded to Brighton & Hove Albion deep into injury time at the Amex Stadium after Andy Robertson clashed with Danny Welbeck.
Robertson had a nibble at the former Manchester United striker, who then made another couple of steps before going down. The referee did not initially award the kick but was advised to look at replays of the incident by the Video Assistant Referee. Upon review a penalty was awarded and Pascal Groß stepped up to net the equaliser.
Following the game, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson told BT Sport about an interesting exchange he claimed to have with Welbeck.
“It was ours,” he said. “It should be three points, in my opinion. I’ve seen the replay. Who would be happy?
“It’s not a pen. It feels like we’re standing here every week and discussing incidents. I don’t want to get into trouble, but for me it’s not a penalty.
“Danny Welbeck said to me it wasn’t a penalty. There were four or five of them who felt it wasn’t a penalty. To overturn it, it has to be clear and obvious. Is that a clear and obvious penalty, to go to the screen and overturn it. Obviously the referees know better than us, but I thought the lads were brilliant today and deserve the three points.”
Had Welbeck uttered those comments to Henderson on the pitch, his tune had changed when he spoke with Des Kelly after the game.
“We got a soft penalty but it’s one that we’ll take,” he said, before adding:
“In today’s game and one with VAR, I’ve touched the ball before him. I obviously wanted to nick it and get around him, but he’s kicked me and then kicked the ball. The referee has been over to the screen and seen it, and he’s made his decision.”
"He's kicked me and then kicked the ball. The referee has been over to the screen and seen it, and he's made his decision."
Danny Welbeck can't see any problem with Brighton's late penalty award 🤷♂️
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/JllAeXnFn1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 28, 2020
To Welbeck, it may have been soft but it was a penalty. Perhaps he went further than that to Henderson but we have to take the England international for his post-match words.
As it stands, Liverpool took top spot in the league but Henderson reflected that ‘it feels like two points taken away from us’ rather than leaving Brighton with a point gained.
Brighton are down in 16th but are six points clear of the relegation zone.
Following the 1-1 draw, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp clashed with BT Sport about his side being subjected to early Saturday kick-off times after midweek European action.
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