Liverpool drew 2-2 against Nottingham Forest today. The match was full of controversial referee calls, a lack of squad cohesion and anger.

The first goal was scored by Dan Ndoye from 17 yards out. After a very short VAR check the goal was allowed and marked as onside. The margin of this goal was very tight, we believe the goal was onside and it was due to a defensive slip up from Alexis Mac Alister after failing to fully clear the ball.

Goal number two was from Florian Wirtz from 17 yards but after a lengthy VAR Check it was marked as offside and was disallowed by VAR. This was due to a delayed pass from Jeremie Frimpong and caused Wirtz to get caught behind the defensive line of Nottingham Forest and consequently get called as offside.

The next goal however was a beautiful 4 yard back post goal from Alexander Isak assisted by Cody Gakpo. Gakpo received the ball at the edge of the box and threaded it perfectly across goal for Isak to just slot it in the middle of the net.

Here is where it gets Interesting… 🤔

Morgan Gibbs White scored the most controversial goal of the game where Liverpool FC conceded a penalty from a supposed foul on Ex Liverpool Left Back Neco Williams. The ball was released before keeper Alisson Becker took out Williams. Now, there is a common misconception that if the player releases the ball before he is fouled then it cannot be a penalty. This is incorrect. To constitute a foul it must follow this criterion;
1. It is committed by a player.

2. It is committed against an opponent.

3. It occurs while the ball is in play.

Therefore the details of when the ball was released are irrelevant. Now, this is why the misconception exists- After a shot is taken, the defenders natural momentum often carries them further and clash into the attacker. Referees usually treat this as natural football contact rather than reckless or careless fouls.

However! Preceding the penalty, Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola attempted to make a triple substitution which failed to take place due to the 4th Official struggling with the electronic substitution board for a full 3 minutes. Iraola insisted that if the substitutions took place that the penalty would never have happened.

The final goal was scored by Víctor Muñoz in the 82nd minute. This is an absolute screamer from again the 17th yard assisted by Florian Wirtz.

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