Ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch couldn't believe Atalanta defender Isak Hien was spared a red card in Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final second leg.
The Reds’ earned a 1-0 win in Bergamo on Thursday evening but that was not enough to see them overturn their three-goal deficit from the first game at Anfield. Liverpool appeared to run out of ideas late on.
It might have been easier for Jurgen Klopp’s side had Hien been given his marching orders. Midway through the first-half, Mohamed Salah played a bouncing ball through to Luis Diaz, who looked to run through unchallenged. Hien tipped the ball away with his hand. That triggered furious protests from the Liverpool players but the referee only awarded a yellow card.
It was a decision that did not go down particularly well with Crouch.
Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: “I was screaming for a red card straightaway. You can see he leans into the ball. It's a definite move of the arm. I think Diaz is going in here, I think he takes a touch across him.
"I think that should be a red card. He leans right into it. I don't think the player on the right is covering him.
“I can see why he's not given it because the defender is coming across to cover and I think he thinks he might get there. But he's so good, Diaz, at taking it across defenders.”
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Crouch doubled down on his assessment after the full-time whistle. The former Liverpool striker added: “I think it could have been [a red card]. I think Diaz has got the presence of mind to go across the defender.
“How does the referee know where he’s going to have his touch? Because I think he takes this touch on the half-volley across the defender and then he’s in on goal. And that is a blatant handball. He is I believe going through one-on-one with the goalkeeper so yes I think it should have been red.”
Liverpool will now have to lick their wounds after their European elimination when they resume their fight for the Premier League title this weekend.They travel to Craven Cottage for a clash with Fulham.
Klopp’s side could potentially be sitting top of the table should they win and Arsenal fail to beat Wolves at Molineux. Title rivals Manchester City are not in Premier League action this weekend, instead they take on Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley.
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