Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw between Manchester United and Liverpool was not without its contentious moments, particularly in relation to the visitors’ late penalty, which earned Jurgen Klopp’s side a point at Old Trafford.
United went into half-time somewhat fortunate to be just a goal down after Luis Diaz’s 23-minute opener, with Erik ten Hag’s side allowing Liverpool 15 shots while failing to have one of their own in a tough opening 45 minutes. However, Bruno Fernandes turned the game on its head when he capitalised on a loose pass from Jarell Quansah, with the United captain expertly spinning the ball over Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from just inside the visitors’ half five minutes after the restart.
United then led following a stunning turn and finish from rising star Kobbie Mainoo 67 minutes in, and were on the verge of another famous comeback victory having beaten Liverpool 4-3 in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the Theatre of Dreams on March 17. Unfortunately for Ten Hag and United, Mohamed Salah levelled from the penalty spot with six minutes of normal time remaining after Aaron Wan-Bissaka was judged to have fouled Harvey Elliott.
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Neither side could find a winner as the result harmed both United’s chances of Champions League qualification and Liverpool’s title hopes, while the decision by referee Anthony Taylor to award a penalty against Wan-Bissaka drew criticism from United fans. Wan-Bissaka went to ground without touching the ball, but did not initially touch Elliott – and only seemed to make contact with the Liverpool playmaker in the second motion. This created waves of discontent among Reds fans on social media platforms.
One frustrated user commented: “The three penalties against United in last two matches are nothing but scandalous.” Another slammed the decision as “absolutely shocking”, while yet another insisted that “… it is crystal clear on the replay the contact doesn’t constitute a foul”.
However, ex-referee Dermot Gallagher, who spent over 10 years as a Premier League official, has addressed United fans’ concerns. During Sky Sports’ Ref Watch programme, Gallagher said of the incident: “I think penalty. If you make a challenge like this, my expectation was a penalty.
“People ask: ‘Is there a lot of contact?’ Well he dives in, he certainly does make contact. People will say: ‘Has Elliott initiated contact?’ I think he’s just stood his ground. My expectation was penalty and he gave it and I think the decision is right.”
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock agreed, and was ‘baffled’ by the United fans’ reaction: “One thing we always talk about is the reaction of the player. Wan-Bissaka doesn’t argue it, no Manchester United player does. They all know it was a stonewall penalty.”
The draw against Liverpool marked the second time in consecutive games that United conceded a pivotal late penalty and the third spot kick conceded in two games. Cole Palmer netted his second penalty of the night in the 10th minute of added time as United lost 4-3 at Chelsea last Thursday, but Ten Hag highlighted a difference between the incidents.
“Again, we let a certain win slip through our fingers by making, let’s say, not a very clever mistake there, like on Thursday and like last Saturday [against Brentford],” the Dutchman said following the Liverpool draw. “And we lose seven points in one week, where we should have had nine points.
“It was similar on Thursday but, on Thursday, it wasn’t a penalty. I wanted to see if it was a penalty [this time] but it was the right decision. I can’t disagree with that.”
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