Peter Crouch revealed he was left “screaming” when Isak Hien was allowed to remain on the pitch in Atalanta’s crunch clash against Liverpool.
The Reds faced that in their bid to reach the Europa League quarter-finals, after losing the first leg 3-0 in a surprise defeat at Anfield last week.
An early goal from Mohamed Salah gave them hope, but they found it difficult to break down their opponents again and their hopes of qualification faded as the match progressed.
Their chances would perhaps have improved if French referee Francois Letexier had sent off Hien just before half-time when he handled a pass to Luis Diaz.
Crouch, speaking on TNT Sports, revealed that he was surprised he wasn’t shown a red card, but somehow understood the decision.
Peter Crouch revealed he was “begging for a red card” against Isak Hien in Atalanta’s clash with Liverpool
The home team’s center back was penalized for a handball when Mohamed Salah passed the ball to Luis Díaz.
The Reds players immediately appealed and the defender was shown a yellow card but allowed to remain on the field.
Crouch revealed his surprise that only a yellow card was shown, but mentioned that he somewhat understood the decision.
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“I immediately shouted for a red card,” said the former Reds striker. ‘You can see he leans towards the ball.
‘It is a definitive movement of the arm. I think Díaz is going to come in here, I think he touches it. I think it should be a red card. He leans into it. I don’t think the player on the right is covering it up.
“I can see why he hasn’t given it because the defender moves in to cover and I think he thinks he could get there. But Diaz is very good at getting past defenders.
Players including Salah and Virgil van Dijk surrounded the referee, and the interception seemingly prevented Diaz from running towards the goal.
Hien received a yellow card and the VAR confirmed the decision on the field. Social media, however, echoed Crouch’s views.
“It’s a blatant red card for the Atalanta defender,” posted a fan on X, formerly Twitter. ‘He deliberately extended his arm to block the ball, Diaz managed to pass cleanly if he did not do so. Come on…’
Another wrote: “Liverpool were unlucky because it wasn’t a red card for the Atalanta defender.” He throws it with his hand to deny Díaz a clear scoring opportunity.
A third wrote: “That’s cynical from the Atalanta defender who knows what he’s doing with a deliberate hand.”
Atalanta lost 1-0 that night, but advanced with a 3-1 aggregate victory following their success at Anfield.
Fans on social media agreed with Crouch’s opinion that Hien should have seen red for the handball.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rolled the dice several times in a bid to claw back the remaining two goals, but once again found clear-cut opportunities difficult in Italy.
The final whistle sparked scenes of ecstasy among the home fans, and the Reds will now put all their eggs in the Premier League basket as they look to end Klopp’s farewell tour with a league title.
They will face Fulham in a league match on Sunday.