- Liverpool beat Girona 1-0 with a penalty from Mohamed Salah making the difference
- However, the foul on Luis Díaz was controversial and experts questioned the decision.
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Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman have suggested that perhaps Liverpool were lucky to have scored the winning goal against Girona.
The Reds virtually qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night, maintaining their perfect record in the competition, taking their total to six wins in six games.
In what was a match from start to finish, Arne Slot’s team beat the LaLiga team 1-0, with a penalty from Mohamed Salah marking the difference between the two teams.
Liverpool were not at their best but still created plenty of chances, although the manner in which the winning goal came about is a matter of debate.
Luis Diaz fell under a challenge from Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, but was already falling when the Dutchman appeared to stand on his ankle. Even so, the referee pointed out the penalty spot after a VAR control.
After the match, Ferdinand and McManaman, who previously played for Liverpool, gave their verdict on the call, with the latter giving a relatively damning verdict.
Liverpool were lucky to receive the winning penalty against Girona, it is claimed
Luis Díaz was brought down by former Manchester United midfielder Donny van De Beek
Mohamed Salah scored the penalty, raising his total to 16 goals this season.
While Rio Ferdinand (left) had no doubt Salah would score, Steve McManaman (right) said he would have been “distressed” if the decision had been ruled against him.
“I thought it wasn’t a penalty,” McManaman said on TNT Sports. He stands his ground, but no one appeals.
“As happens in Europe, the VAR begins to intervene. It was a sloppy decision. I would be distraught.
“You expect the midfielders to close in, it’s very unfortunate. It’s a contact game and you see it more in the corners, so I don’t think it was a penalty.”
Salah stepped up to score his final goal for Liverpool, taking his tally to 116 in total this campaign, and that proved to be enough for victory that night.
The returning Alisson made five saves in the Liverpool goal, but victory will almost certainly allow the Reds to avoid the play-offs in the next round of the competition.
Slot will now be able to rotate players for the remainder of the competition’s group stage, with two games remaining, against Lille and PSV.
“There was no doubt he would score,” added Rio Ferdinand about Salah. “He didn’t get the ball.
‘But I think there is no intention and clumsy is the best word. “He gave the referee a chance.”