Disallowed goal, Van Dijk red card, Tsimikas corner - Arsenal vs Liverpool referee review

Games between Arsenal and Liverpool rarely fail to live up to expectations and are known to be one of the Premier League’s highest-scoring matchups when the teams meet. However, it was perhaps spoiled by the focus not being on the football and more so the decision-making on the day.

There were six decisions in the game which all created discussion post-match. What perhaps will be the most aggravating reality is that five of them went against Arsenal, while one took an age to finally land in their favour.

With that said, football.london takes a look at the different incidents and gives its verdict on the incidents from the game. The short story, Arsenal got very unlucky indeed.

Van Dijk on Kai Havertz

Early in the game, Kai Havertz and Virgil van Dijk came together in an off-the-ball incident. The Dutchman was not too pleased with the physical presence of Havertz and reacted, kicking out twice, the second saw him plant his left boot down onto Havertz. Nothing was given by Anthony Taylor, just a verbal warning

FL review: The question here is of violent conduct and while two small kicks out would not constitute that, what many appear to have quickly dismissed is the manner and the execution of the second kick. In fact, it isn’t a kick at all and second and third viewings, combined with the view of the still image shown below sees what is in fact a stamp on Havertz’s left foot, with force and would certainly be a viable example of violent conduct.

FL Verdict: Incorrect decision, red card for violent conduct.

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Luis Diaz kicking the ball away

After a foul on Bukayo Saka, Luis Diaz was shown by the camera dribbling away with the ball, before kicking it into an area without an Arsenal player. Unlike the arguments given regarding Jeremy Doku in the clash at the Etihad Stadium who supposedly was trying to kick the ball toward an Arsenal player, there is no such evidence here.

FL review: This is an attempt to delay the restart and should therefore have seen a booking. Diaz is recorded as committing five fouls during the game on top of this incident and avoided a yellow card throughout before being replaced by Cody Gakpo.

FL verdict: Incorrect decision, yellow card for delaying the restart.

Gabriel Martinelli penalty call

Gabriel Martinelli works his way into the box and while attempting to play the ball, Ibrahima Konate lunges into a challenge on the Brazilian. Trent Alexander-Arnold also makes a challenge for the ball to the right of Martinelli. No penalty given.

FL review: Konate gets the ball, yes he takes the man, but this happens simultaneously and while risky is a good challenge. Replays clearly show the ball change direction where Konate makes contact, and were this William Saliba and the boot on the other foot, no one would want to see a penalty given for this. Alexander-Arnold’s contact is minimal at most and has no bearing on Martinelli.

FL verdict: Correct decision, no penalty.

Mikel Merino goal

Mikel Merino scores from a Declan Rice free-kick. Goal is given on the field, a lengthy VAR review is to check offside and eventually, the goal is given.

FL review: The correct decision is indeed given and you may be asking why this is even featuring. However, the length of time it took to get to the call was unhelpfully and unacceptably long where Van Dijk’s foot was clearly playing Merino onside.

Yes, we want to see the correct decision reached, but the process needs to be improved. The introduction, eventually, of semi-automatic offsides should help with this process.

FL verdict: Correct decision, goal given.

Gabriel Jesus goal ruled out

Anthony Taylor blows for a foul by Jakub Kiwior on Dominik Szoboszlai in the build up to a late goal scored by Gabriel Jesus. Premier League confirmed the foul was indeed given for the foul by the Polish defender.

FL review: It is an extremely soft call by Taylor but what makes this so egregious is the length of time it takes to make it. Taylor watches the play develop and once Havertz is through on goal, he blows.

If this was indeed a foul, which it is not, the VAR should be allowed here to make the call. There are two further points of note, the aerial duel which follows hits Havertz on the arm although it is likely too high up to matter and it is Jesus who eventually scores not the German.

However, upon several watches, Havertz is likely to be pulled up on the foul on Alexander-Arnold. There is a clear barge on the Liverpool defender which gives him an advantage – although how the play might have gone through had Taylor not blown when he did and allowed for a potential post-play review instead could have avoided this.

FL verdict: Incorrect decision, no foul by Jakub Kiwior.

Last-minute corner decision

Kostas Tsimikas kicks the ball out of play with the game’s last action. Goal kick given.

FL review: Ridiculous decision by the linesman, in full view. The Greek defender makes at least one touch on the ball, potentially even two before it exits the field of play.

FL verdict: Corner.

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