Jamie Carragher Delivers 'Daft' Alessandro Bastoni Verdict After Liverpool Incident

In a heated Champions League clash at the San Siro, Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Inter Milan thanks to an 88th-minute penalty converted by Dominik Szoboszlai. The decisive moment came when referee Felix Zwayer, after VAR review, awarded a spot kick for Alessandro Bastoni tugging Florian Wirtz's shirt. Though Wirtz's fall was described as melodramatic and the decision 'harsh,' former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher showed little sympathy for Inter.[1][3]

On CBS Sports Golazo, Carragher stated: "I’d be very disappointed if this went against me or my team. What I’d say is, I don’t think that’s a penalty, but if I were an Inter Milan player or the manager, I’d say, ‘What are you doing grabbing his shirt and giving the referee a decision to make?’" He labeled Bastoni's action as 'daft', emphasizing there was no need for the Inter defender to grab Wirtz's shirt when the Liverpool No. 7 had his back to goal and posed no immediate threat.[1][2][3]

Carragher echoed Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson's view that the call was soft but culpable the Italian for unnecessary risk-taking. This mirrored another incident where Liverpool's No. 7 was involved in a rash challenge earlier, but Carragher argued both cases stemmed from avoidable fouls despite not being stonewall penalties.[1]

Italian outrage persists, with ex-Inter goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano calling it "the death of football" and "madness," insisting no top referee would deem it a penalty since Wirtz faced away. He dismissed insults, prioritizing logic over the decision.[2] Liverpool fans counter that a first-half goal by Ibrahima Konate was harshly disallowed for handball on Hugo Ekitike, balancing the officiating controversies.[1][2]

Despite the debate, Carragher affirmed Liverpool's win was deserved on balance, with Bastoni's lapse handing officials an excuse to intervene. Such VAR moments underscore football's fine margins in a tough season for the Reds.[1][4]

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