Liverpool fan has theory on why Simon Hooper blew whistle to prevent Jack Grealish chance, he could be right Marcus Chan

Liverpool fan has theory on why Simon Hooper blew whistle to prevent Jack Grealish chance, he could be right
Marcus Chan

Published 13:49, 04 December 2023 GMT
| Last updated 14:10, 04 December 2023 GMT

A Liverpool fan has come up with a theory on why referee Simon Hooper made the hugely controversial call during Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur.

At the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night, City and Spurs played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.

However, the encounter was marred by Hooper’s controversial decision to stop a promising attack by City.

During stoppage time, Erling Haaland looked like he was fouled but stayed on his feet to play the ball towards Jack Grealish, who was looking likely to get on the end of the through ball.

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However, referee Hooper appeared to blow his whistle despite originally waving play on for advantage.

The decision left City fans and players fuming as Haaland reacted on social media shortly after the final whistle.

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked to comment on the incident but was not keen to discuss it in great detail.

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Now, a Liverpool fan has taken to social media with a theory about Hooper’s decision.

Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap wrote: “I have a really mundane suggestion as to what has gone on with the Hooper giving the free kick thing.

“I think he can’t see Grealish because of the three Spurs players and thinks Haaland has just put it into space. Then obviously he can and realises he has f**ked up.”

Image Credit: Getty
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Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said after the incident: “Haaland has lost his head. But l suspect that is partly frustration at having a pretty poor game in front of goal.

“City have conceded nine goals in four games. That will be a bigger concern at the end than the refereeing error when Grealish was through.”

Former City player Micah Richards added: “The referee had a brilliant game today until this moment. I don’t understand it.

“The referee puts the whistle to his mouth, he waves the play on to play advantage. Jack Grealish is clearly onside and Haaland plays the ball through – and then he stops the play, which I don’t quite understand.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Sky Sports

Topics: Erling Haaland, Football, Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Fan Reactions
Marcus Chan
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Jurgen Klopp left fuming on touchline as Darwin Nunez does things differently after Liverpool winner
Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday

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ByIan DoyleChief Liverpool FC Writer
Bookmark

Liverpool players celebrate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late winner in the Premier League game against Fulham on December 3 2023 (Image: LFC TV)

Liverpool maintained their push at the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold both netted in the closing moments as the Reds came from behind to earn a 4-3 triumph after an earlier Bernd Leno own goal and an Alexis Mac Allister screamer. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men have now moved up to second and have lost only one of their last 25 top-flight matches.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and lots of injury time) at Anfield.

PAUL GORST: Kop makes clear who real hero of Fulham win was as Liverpool tweak pays off

IAN DOYLE: Jurgen Klopp has ‘underrated’ player who could help finally settle Liverpool debate

Kostas grab

There was so much going on during an incident-packed match that it was difficult to keep up at times. And the denouement arrived with Alexander-Arnold’s winning strike, which prompted bedlam in the stands and a succession of knee slides towards the corner flag.

And there was an amusing moment as the Liverpool players celebrated wildly in front of the Kop, with Kostas Tsimikas grabbing a nearby steward with both hands and shaking him wildly.

After the initial shock, the smiles on the Anfield employee at becoming embroiled in such a memorable moment suggest he didn’t mind so much.

Nunez sprint

The delight at the late turnaround was unconfined given the manner in which Liverpool had toiled throughout much of the second half.

Those struggles were perhaps best encapsulated in the performance of Darwin Nunez who, despite not having his best game, kept plugging away and ultimately played an important part in the build-up to the final two goals.

And when Alexander-Arnold netted, rather than join in with his team-mates in front of the Kop, Nunez belted it to the dugout where he embraced first Dominik Szoboszlai and then Jurgen Klopp. He loves doing it differently, does Darwin.

Klopp irate

The game, though, hadn’t finished at that point. And with more than seven additional minutes being played – to go with the 12 in the first half – where was still plenty of time for more shenanigans.

And one such instance happened during injury time when a tussle for possession between Ibrahima Konate and Carlos Vinicius ended with Fulham contentiously being awarded a throw-in.

If Konate waving his arms was a sign of the Frenchman querying the decision, then the reaction of Klopp on the touchline, bouncing up and down manically and gesticulating furiously in the direction of just about anyone who would take note, suggests the Reds boss really, really couldn’t believe it.

Salah intent

A lot, lot, lot earlier on in the first half, there was an amusing passage of play as Liverpool probed for a second goal. With Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno having cleared into touch, the Reds were keen on a quick restart from the resultant throw-in.

But seconds after play continued, the original ball booted into the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand reappeared by bouncing on to the pitch towards Mohamed Salah, causing confusion among players.

Salah, though, was so laser-focused he managed to win control of both footballs. Anyone wondering what separates good players from great ones now has an answer.

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Jurgen Klopp left fuming on touchline as Darwin Nunez does things differently after Liverpool winner
Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday

SHARE
ByIan DoyleChief Liverpool FC Writer
Bookmark

Liverpool players celebrate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late winner in the Premier League game against Fulham on December 3 2023 (Image: LFC TV)

Liverpool maintained their push at the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold both netted in the closing moments as the Reds came from behind to earn a 4-3 triumph after an earlier Bernd Leno own goal and an Alexis Mac Allister screamer. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men have now moved up to second and have lost only one of their last 25 top-flight matches.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and lots of injury time) at Anfield.

PAUL GORST: Kop makes clear who real hero of Fulham win was as Liverpool tweak pays off

IAN DOYLE: Jurgen Klopp has ‘underrated’ player who could help finally settle Liverpool debate

Kostas grab

There was so much going on during an incident-packed match that it was difficult to keep up at times. And the denouement arrived with Alexander-Arnold’s winning strike, which prompted bedlam in the stands and a succession of knee slides towards the corner flag.

And there was an amusing moment as the Liverpool players celebrated wildly in front of the Kop, with Kostas Tsimikas grabbing a nearby steward with both hands and shaking him wildly.

After the initial shock, the smiles on the Anfield employee at becoming embroiled in such a memorable moment suggest he didn’t mind so much.

Nunez sprint

The delight at the late turnaround was unconfined given the manner in which Liverpool had toiled throughout much of the second half.

Those struggles were perhaps best encapsulated in the performance of Darwin Nunez who, despite not having his best game, kept plugging away and ultimately played an important part in the build-up to the final two goals.

And when Alexander-Arnold netted, rather than join in with his team-mates in front of the Kop, Nunez belted it to the dugout where he embraced first Dominik Szoboszlai and then Jurgen Klopp. He loves doing it differently, does Darwin.

Klopp irate

The game, though, hadn’t finished at that point. And with more than seven additional minutes being played – to go with the 12 in the first half – where was still plenty of time for more shenanigans.

And one such instance happened during injury time when a tussle for possession between Ibrahima Konate and Carlos Vinicius ended with Fulham contentiously being awarded a throw-in.

If Konate waving his arms was a sign of the Frenchman querying the decision, then the reaction of Klopp on the touchline, bouncing up and down manically and gesticulating furiously in the direction of just about anyone who would take note, suggests the Reds boss really, really couldn’t believe it.

Salah intent

A lot, lot, lot earlier on in the first half, there was an amusing passage of play as Liverpool probed for a second goal. With Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno having cleared into touch, the Reds were keen on a quick restart from the resultant throw-in.

But seconds after play continued, the original ball booted into the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand reappeared by bouncing on to the pitch towards Mohamed Salah, causing confusion among players.

Salah, though, was so laser-focused he managed to win control of both footballs. Anyone wondering what separates good players from great ones now has an answer.

Follow Liverpool Echo
Facebook
Twitter
Comment
Loading…
MORE ON
Liverpool FC
SPORT
ALL
TOP STORIES
Woman killed after being hit by car as man arrested
LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE
Revamp of historic part of Liverpool city centre is complete
ROPEWALKS
Jurgen Klopp left fuming on touchline as Darwin Nunez does things differently after Liverpool winner
LIVERPOOL FC
Live-event
Liverpool transfer news LIVE – Joel Matip injury latest, Khephren Thuram battle, Fulham reaction
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Everton points deduction LIVE – Premier League appeal, Kalvin Phillips competition, Newcastle build-up
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Live-event
Live updates as Speke Boulevard closed after multi-car crash
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Hundreds more roads could be reduced to new 20mph speed limit
WIRRAL
New winter food market arrives in Bootle this weekend
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Desperate killers called their mums for help as they tried to get away with murder
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Jamie Carragher missed Liverpool’s last two goals against Fulham – Micah Richards revealed what happened when he found out
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WHAT’S ON
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LIVERPOOL FC
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Contact Us
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© 2023 a Reach plc subsidiary