Ex-refs chief hails 'brilliant' official after re-analysing Liverpool-Chelsea controversy

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(Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media / Sky Sports) Sat 4 October 2025 19:40, UK Updated Sat 4 October 2025 19:57, UK Anthony Taylor positioned himself brilliantly to make a snap decision when Alejandro Garnacho went to ground in Chelsea’s match against Liverpool.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that there was minimal contact on the Argentina international from Dominik Szoboszlai.Chelsea had not won any of their three previous Premier League games before taking on the defending champions at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 4 September, at 5.30pm.This has led to Enzo Maresca’s position becoming tenuous, although the Italian manager is believed to still have the backing of the Blues’ board.Chelsea took the lead through an astonishing Moises Caicedo strike against Liverpool, and then thought they may have their chance to double their lead from the penalty spot, only for Taylor to wave away the home side’s appeals.Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking MediaAnthony Taylor rejects Chelsea penalty appealsGarnacho was signed from Man United in the summer, but he has been afforded limited opportunities in the Blues’ starting XI this season.However, Maresca trusted the 21-year-old to feature against Liverpool and the winger was heavily involved in the first-half’s action. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES In the 38th minute, Garnacho drove into the Reds’ box before tumbling down to the ground after Szoboszlai placed a hand on his back.However, Taylor had an unimpeded view of the incident and waved away the winger’s appeals after a moment’s thought.Maresca was incensed by the decision and received a yellow card for his vocal protestations, but replays showed the contact was minimal.Ultimately, the decision not to award a penalty mattered little as a last-minute Estevao winner gave Chelsea all three points, although their manager won’t be on the touchline for their next game thanks to receiving a second yellow for sprinting down the touchline to join his players in celebration.Keith Hackett gives verdict on Alejandro GarnachoSpeaking to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett was full of praise for Taylor’s positioning and decision-making.He said: “Anthony Taylor is in a brilliant position to correctly determine that it is not a penalty kick to Chelsea.“With minimal contact, the Chelsea player goes to ground too easily, well done referee.”Chelsea’s next match will see them take on a struggling Nottingham Forest side at the City Ground as the Blues look to get their title challenge back on track.