Michael Owen says he’s now changing his mind on big refereeing decision that went against Liverpool 

Michael Owen says he’s now changing his mind on big refereeing decision that went against Liverpool

Liverpool have been on the receiving end of some utterly abysmal refereeing this season.

The decision to rule out a perfectly legitimate Luis Diaz goal against Tottenham Hotspur back in September may well go down as the worst use of VAR ever seen in the sport.

Meanwhile, who could forget the time Martin Odegaard chose to start playing basketball in the Anfield box in December. The call that day? No penalty, of course.

So, when Alexis Mac Allister was hacked down by Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku in the final seconds of their epic 1-1 draw recently, did anyone really expect a Liverpool penalty?

One man who seemingly didn’t was Michael Owen. However, speaking on the Premier League’s Match Officials Mic’d Up segment with PGMOL head honcho Howard Webb, Owen says he’s since changed his mind. He thinks it was a penalty.

“I thought it sort of wasn’t at the start, I see it again and I’m thinking it is!” laughed the former Liverpool striker. “I’m really 50/50 on it.”

Webb clears up Liverpool decision
This is obviously a useful little segment from the Premier League. However, releasing the audio from decisions such as this one can often lead to more questions than answers.

This incident is no different. From the real-time conversations between officials, it’s clear that they believe Doku got some of the ball before clattering Mac Allister. There’s also a bizarre claim that they ‘both come in high.’

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Listening to the referees speak amongst themselves, maybe there is some truth to Ben Foster’s claim that the Liverpool man would have won a penalty had he not turned his back slightly on Doku.

In terms of Webb himself, he suggests that without the incident being especially clear either way, the officials followed protocol by not getting involved.

“It’s split a lot of opinion it’s one of those for sure,” Webb explains to Owen. “If the referee gives it on the field it would have been a check complete by the VAR. And equally, having not given it, it’s also check complete.

“The ball is too low to head. Doku lifts his foot to play the ball and he does make contact on the ball. Yes, we know there’s some contact on Mac Allister as well, he’s not really playing the ball either.

“I understand why it’s split opinion, I think it would have been check complete either way. Not wanting to re-referee the game in situations that are not really clear, which is what we think VAR is for. In this situation the VAR stays out of it, I think that’s what we’d expect.”

Some will agree with that, plenty will disagree. As for Owen – and even Webb – it sounds like they’re still not sure!

 

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Liverpool have simple answer to Trent Alexander-Arnold dilemma after injury update
Does Trent Alexander-Arnold come straight back into the Liverpool team? Our writers have their say

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
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Liverpool are hoping to have Trent Alexander-Arnold back in time for the Premier League clash against Brighton at Anfield on March 31.

The Reds’ vice-captain has been out since suffering a reoccurrence of a knee injury during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Burnley at Anfield in early February. Alexander-Arnold had to be substituted at half-time after the problem flared up. He’d already spent three weeks on the sidelines with the problem.

His return will come as a boost for Liverpool but also a dilemma for Jurgen Klopp, who has Conor Bradley performing well at right-back, Joe Gomez as another option and a midfield trio also in good form.

Our ECHO panel has their say on how Alexander-Arnold should be used when he returns:

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Paul Gorst – Bradley has been superb but Alexander-Arnold quality might make all the difference

First all, kudos for Conor Bradley for making hay while the sun has shone in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence.

The West Derby-born defender has been in and out of the side the majority of 2024 and while he has been away, Bradley has stepped up to the plate, massively.

The Northern Ireland international has surely made himself a part of the senior squad going forward and there will be few qualms whenever he is included next season, provided the new manager sees what has been evident since he was thrust into the team after Alexander-Arnold’s injury.

But, having said all of that, the imminent return of Alexander-Arnold will be huge for the Reds as they look to really turn the screw in this Premier League title race for the final 10 games.

A fit and ready Alexander-Arnold will unlock opposition defences and while the debate will probably never subside as far as his long-term position goes, seeing the No.66 back in his hybrid role will fill everyone connected to the club with confidence.

The Brighton game on March 31 has been circled as the England international’s tentative return date and just imagine how much his creativity will aid the cause in the final two months.

Joe Rimmer – Klopp’s answer is very simple

The answer to Jurgen Klopp’s selection dilemma with Trent Alexander-Arnold is very simple: put him straight back into the starting line-up.

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It’s often forgotten – or conveniently overlooked – just how good Trent is and his importance to Liverpool cannot be denied. He was just getting into his stride when the initial knee problem struck and let’s remind ourselves that it was his influence that ignited a change in fortunes for Liverpool this time last year.

Yes, Conor Bradley has impressed and Joe Gomez is a dependable defensive option, but Trent gives Liverpool a completely different threat and could be akin to a secret weapon in the Premier League run-in.

That sort of quality is rare and needs to be harnessed as Liverpool try to end the season in the best possible way.

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Edwards could break Liverpool’s transfer record to sign Bellingham 2.0
BY
ANGUS SINCLAIR
PUBLISHED 9 HOURS AGO
Life after Klopp would begin with a bang if this world-class talent were to sign in the summer.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham
Liverpool might have fallen in the FA Cup against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon but Jurgen Klopp’s side remain confident of finding success in the Premier League and Europa League, with the Carabao Cup already bagged.

After years of brilliant football, Klopp will leave the club at the end of the campaign after winning a host of honours such as the Premier League and Champions League and reviving Anfield after it had fallen into disrepair in the years preceding the German’s appointment.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
While a successor has yet to be clinched, Michael Edwards has returned as FSG’s new CEO of football, with Richard Hughes assuming the role of sporting director, and appears to be lining up a first-rate talent to confirm Liverpool’s desire to remain at the forefront of the European game.

Michael Edwards’ top transfer targets for Liverpool
Granted, it’s a little early to gauge who could be moving to Merseyside during the off-season, but that has not stopped the rumour mill from spinning into overdrive, with Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg confirming that the Reds are among the contenders for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.

The 29-year-old is not the only Bayern Munich player on the radar, however, with more exciting news that Liverpool are hot in pursuit of Jamal Musiala, according to SPORT BILD’s Christian Falk.

jamal-musiala-bayern-munich-premier-league
Chelsea and Manchester City are also interested in a move, but Bayern are desperate to keep the attacking midfielder in Bavaria and have slapped a £100m asking price on his name, eclipsing Liverpool’s club record £85m fee paid for Darwin Nunez.

The Bundesliga champions, who trail Bayer Leverkusen by ten points this season, hope to agree fresh terms with the 21-year-old, who is out of contract in 2026, but with such enticing suitors lurking, Liverpool have the perfect chance to pounce.

Liverpool-Carabao-Cup-Final
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Why Liverpool should sign Jamal Musiala
Musiala signed for Bayern from Chelsea back in 2019 as a 16-year-old after rejecting a long-term offer at Stamford Bridge, and it’s hard to argue that the German-born starlet made the wrong decision.

Still in the maiden phase of his professional career, Musiala has posted 43 goals and 30 assists across 156 senior appearances for Bayern Munich, with his prodigious performances leading to praise over his “exceptional” emergence from former Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn.

Jamal Musiala for Bayern Munich.
In the German top-flight this season, as per Sofascore, Musiala has scored ten goals and six assists across 21 fixtures (18 starts) while completing 82% of his passes, averaging 1.9 key passes, 1.7 tackles, 4.1 ball recoveries and 7.5 successful duels per game, also succeeding with 61% of his 3.8 dribbles per game.

Moreover, as per FBref, the 25-cap Germany international ranks among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for pass completion, the top 17% for progressive passes, the top 15% for progressive carries, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 11% for interceptions per 90.

It’s a rounded skill set, spherical almost, with Musiala fuelled with talents across the scope of the attacking midfield role, capable of making a real impact in Liverpool’s team.

Jamal Musiala: Market Value vs Top PL Players

#

Player

Market Value

1.

Erling Haaland

£214m

2.

Bukayo Saka

£171m

2.

Phil Foden

£171m

4.

Jamal Musiala

£128m

4.

Julian Alvarez

£128m

4.

Martin Odegaard

£128m

Sourced via CIES Football Observatory

There is the question of where he would slot in, but then Musiala is dynamic, interchangeable and fit for purpose out on the left or in a more conventional No. 10 role.

The £82k-per-week ace has Mohamed Salah’s creativity, Luis Diaz’s fleet-footedness, and Alexis Mac Allister’s vision. He has elite movement and spatial awareness and would work a treat in the shadow of centre-forward Nunez.

In fact, he’s got some striking similarities to Jude Bellingham, who Liverpool so fervently, so desperately fought to sign in 2023. This could be the chance to make amends.

How Jamal Musiala compares to Jude Bellingham
Liverpool contested against Real Madrid for the signing of Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund but it became quite clear in April 2023 that the Reds would be unable to push ahead with the move, with multiple additions needed to mend a malfunctioning engine room.

The staggering talent, still only 20 years old, arrived at Santiago Bernabeu as a £115m Galactico last June and has since obliterated expectations, scoring 20 goals and supplying nine assists across his opening 31 matches for the Spanish giants.

To underscore how remarkable the England international has been for Los Blancos, he currently ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 1% for pass completion, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 7% for interceptions per 90.

He’s likened to Musiala by stats-led site FBref, but there are clear differences in the respective players’ styles, and Liverpool might actually find a player who could make more of an impact in the Bayern ace.

Jamal Musiala vs Jude Bellingham (2023/24)

Stat (per 90)

Musiala

Bellingham

Matches played

21

22

Goals

0.57

0.77

Assists

0.29

0.14

Pass completion

82%

88%

Shot-creating actions

5.60

3.82

Progressive passes

5.31

7.44

Prog. passes received

8.34

6.86

Progressive carries

5.26

3.33

Successful take-ons

4.51

1.88

Ball recoveries

4.97

4.78

Tackles

0.80

0.48

Interceptions

0.86

0.92

Clearances

0.29

0.58

Stats via FBref

Take a look at the table above. What do you see? Bellingham is the better goalscorer, more potent in the box, deadlier in his striking.

But while his elite movements have shaped him into a generational talent – surely England’s best shot at seeing a Ballon d’Or winner from the current crop of players – Musiala thrives in his progression and his playmaking, to a greater degree, while maintaining an effective goal threat.

Both players are committed defenders and are placed in the upper echelon of their positional peers for defensive actions per 90, but Liverpool are a team built on energy and multi-functionality – Musiala might just pip Bellingham – who is still several cuts above the lion’s share of high-class midfielders – in this regard.

xabi-alonso-salary-bayer-leverkusen
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Bellingham is a world-class player but so too does Musiala have the trappings of a star unmatched by all but a select few in the Premier League.

Edwards really has to throw the kitchen sink at getting this one over the line to start the new era at Anfield with a bang.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angus Sinclair • Opinions & Feature Writer
(2138 Articles Published)
Angus is a freelance analytical writer for Football FanCast.

Having graduated from Southampton Solent University with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2022, Angus found a home at FFC after previously writing for Vavel and OurSoundMusic.

A passionate Liverpool supporter and a lover of statistics, Angus also holds a fondness for MMA and Tennis.

Outside of football, he is a voracious reader with a particular love for fantasy and historical fiction.

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Liverpool defender ruled out for a month as Man Utd ace responds to Jürgen Klopp interview
A Liverpool ace is returning to Anfield having picked up a ‘four to six week’ injury. Meanwhile, a Manchester United ace has responded to a Jürgen Klopp interview.

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ByMatt AddisonLiverpool.com Editor
00:00, 20 MAR 2024
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Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. (Image: Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has laughed off the interview that Jürgen Klopp gave after Liverpool was knocked out of the FA Cup while a Reds defender is set for a spell on the sidelines. Here’s your round-up of the latest Liverpool news.

Christian Eriksen responds to Jürgen Klopp interview

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp went viral over the weekend when his interview with Danish outlet Viaplay was shared on social media. The German was unhappy with the line of questioning after his side was knocked out of the FA Cup.

“When he went around me I asked, ‘Why do you feel so provoked?'” the journalist involved in the exchange, Niels Christian Frederiksen, said of it. “Then he shouted at me and he pushed my microphone away. I kept walking after him with a microphone and he pushed it away. He was trying to flee from the interview.”

READ MORE: Pundit does a 180 on Virgil van Dijk remarks after comment Liverpool captain ‘regretted’

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“I chuckled a bit at that,” Eriksen told the Danish outlet Tipsbladet. “I happened to meet Per Frimann, who is his colleague, on the plane on the way home. I know that Rasmus (Højlund) has spent the whole flight home with Niels Christian.

“I think they’ve had some good conversations. It’s journalism, and what they’re asking about isn’t something one is involved with oneself, but Klopp was of course tired and irritated after they had lost.”

Liverpool defender ruled out for ‘four to six weeks’

Having made a very good impression in the Scottish Premiership this season with Dundee, young Liverpool left-back Owen Beck has suffered a setback and will now head back to Anfield for treatment. The 21-year-old is expected to be out for at least a month.

“Owen is looking at a minimum of four to six weeks on the sidelines,” Dundee boss Tony Docherty told The Courier. “We have been monitoring and managing the situation with his groin and he’ll now go for a scan on it.

“With Liverpool being his parent club, they have a big input into that and, of course, he’ll get the best of treatment. He will go down there for that, certainly for this period because he’s their player and they want to look at it themselves.”

Beck will miss the majority of the rest of the season as a result of the injury. He made a brief return to Liverpool in January when the Reds were missing Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas through injuries of their own but the Welshman never made an appearance.

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