Luis Diaz was fouled in the Liverpool clash. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool beat Girona 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night and former Reds star Steve McManaman reckons his former club got a bit lucky.
The Merseyside club came into shock in Spain after winning all five of their Champions League games and Arne Slot’s men maintained their 100 per cent record with victory.
Girona caused a lot of problems for Liverpool in the first half and the coach of the Reds can thank his goalkeeper Alisson Becker to keep the home team out. The Merseyside side were much better in the second 45 minutes and it was during this half that the biggest talking point of the game emerged.
Donny van de Beek would throw a clumsy challenge at Luis Díaz, which he did has recently been linked to a move from Anfield – in the Girona box when the Dutch midfielder barely stepped on the back’s heel.
The referee ruled the tackle a foul after it was sent to the VAR monitor, and Mohamed Salah converted the spot-kick.
The incident sparked much debate on social media and former Liverpool star Steve McManaman felt his former club were lucky to get the decision.
Steve McManaman on the Liverpool penalty incident
Speaking after the match, McManaman stated that he thought the penalty was harsh and compared it to the unpunished fouls that usually happen during corners and free kicks.
“You expect the midfielders to close down and if you get within an inch of their heel, it’s very unfortunate,” said the pundit. TNT Sports. “With all due respect, it’s a contact game. We see a lot more contact in corners and free kicks that don’t get mentioned, so I don’t think it was a penalty regardless of the result.”
“Did he give the referee a chance to make a decision or VAR to get involved”?@rioferdy5 and Steve McManaman give their verdict on Liverpool’s penalty?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wwH4emYXiI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024
Liverpool will feel lucky to have been awarded the penalty, but Van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make after a clumsy foul in his own area.
Slot’s men were not at their best in Spain, but as has been seen several times this season, the Reds found a way to come out of the game with all three points.
