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Ex-PGMOL chief makes his feelings clear over Jeremie Frimpong penalty call vs Arsenal
Referee Anthony Taylor was in a good position to judge the challenge on Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong inside Arsenal’s penalty area.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that there was “insufficient evidence” to award a spot-kick at the Emirates on Thursday, 8 January.
With Mohamed Salah away with Egypt on international duty, Frimpong has been trusted in the right-wing position, and he caused issues for the Gunners’ back line on the counter-attack.
In the 35th minute, Mikel Arteta‘s side played on while the 25-year-old went down holding his ankle, with Liverpool fans crying out for a penalty against Piero Hincapie, but calls fell upon deaf ears.
Hackett has criticised Taylor previously in the season, but the referee was applauded for his actions on this occasion, much to the frustration of travelling fans.
Anthony Taylor spot-on to deny Jeremie Frimpong penalty shout
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Referee Anthony Taylor is in a good position, and there is insufficient evidence that there is contact. Therefore, play was allowed to continue.
“VAR, at this point, is in a position to look at various camera angles to seek and determine if the referee has made a clear and obvious error. There was no request for the referee to visit the pitch-side monitor.
In real time, there appeared to barely be a touch on the player, but upon watching the replays, there did appear to be a slight tangle of ankles, but unlikely to be enough for a penalty.
Liverpool could have been awarded a penalty in the second half
After picking up the first caution of the game, Leandro Trossard was involved once again, almost giving away a spot-kick just three minutes into the second half.
Bundling Florian Wirtz over in the box, Gary Neville blasted the player’s “clumsy” challenge, labelling it a “risk,” but after a VAR check, the Gunners got away with another controversial incident.
There were several controversial incidents during the game, but this was likely the most dangerous, with Trossard already walking a tightrope, having picked up his yellow card in the 12th minute.
While a VAR check ruled that the referee got the right decision, many will be in disagreement, and those arguments are bound to continue well beyond the final whistle.
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Virgil van Dijk vented his anger towards Federico Chiesa following Wolves’ decisive goal at Molineux. Rob Edwards’ outfit pulled off a surprise 2-1 triumph in the Premier League as the Reds squandered an opportunity to climb into fourth position.
Mohamed Salah netted an 83rd-minute leveller in a chaotic conclusion after Rodrigo Gomes had opened the scoring in the Midlands. However, Andre sparked wild celebrations in the stands with a 94th-minute winner.
Liverpool skipper Van Dijk was left furious following the late setback and yelled in Chiesa’s direction, evidently unimpressed with the Italian’s contribution. Alisson had launched a pass towards the winger, but after the duo failed to connect, Chiesa did not track back in an attempt to retrieve the ball.
Andre’s strike then deflected beyond the Brazilian and into the net. A series of issues emerged in the post-match analysis.
Van Dijk was more measured in his post-match interview, though still frustrated by the nature of the defeat.
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“Conceding goals is always frustrating,” he told TNT Sport when asked if there were any frustrations about the manner of the two Wolves goals. “Obviously we’ve come on the back of a couple of clean sheets and I think defensively we have been very solid.
“But yeah, listen, it is what it is and we have to move quickly on because we come back here in a couple of days and we want to do well in the FA Cup as well and we have to show a reaction.”
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard reckons his former side were sluggish in responding to an error from Alisson. “The Liverpool players from the goalkeeper’s mistake – it’s not the greatest clearance from Alisson – but I just thought they were slow to react in midfield as well,” he commented on TNT Sports.
“You know, Wolves are jumping on the first ball, picking up the second ball. It’s a poor goal from a Liverpool point of view to concede, and it’s another late one. It’s happened too many times that they’re conceding these late goals.
“I just think the speed of the reaction from the poor clearance – I’m sure Alisson will want to own up to it – but the reaction’s just too slow.”
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, though, laid the blame at a different door. He identified the pass to Alisson as the issue.
“It was a mistake from Curtis Jones – he plays a ball into Alisson and Alisson’s never going to get any purchase on it,” Warnock stated on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Andre looked heavy in the last five or so minutes but he takes a shot and it takes a wicked deflection to loop over Alisson.”
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GOAL!!! Wolves 1-1 Liverpool (Salah, 82) SALAH FINDS THE NET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! His first for 122 days. Good time to get it.
GOAL!!! Wolves 1-1 Liverpool (Salah, 82)
SALAH FINDS THE NET IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! His first for 122 days. Good time to get it.
And this is why Wolves are going doing. Bellegarde plays a horrific pass straight to Salah who runs at Krecji into the box and pokes a clever finish with the outside of his foot.
Straight back to the centre-circle. No time to waste.
Wolves vs Liverpool LIVE! Premier League score, match updates, team news, stream and highlights
Tuesday 3 March 2026 21:57, UK
Second Half: Wolves 1-1 Liverpool
Salah to the rescue as he levels it for Liverpool late at Molineux View post
Rodrigo Gomes scores on the break to give Wolves shock lead View post
Jones and Gakpo somehow failed to force home from a yard out View post
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