OPINION
Gary Lineker posted a video of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold assisting a goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final last night, and many Leeds fans have pointed out what they see as double standards in the media.
One of the cleverest, cheekiest, most brilliant bits of football I’ve witnessed… from the 20 year old @trentaa98 ?? pic.twitter.com/JRVqhbx44Y
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 7, 2019
With the score at 3-0, Alexander-Arnold moved away from the ball as if he was leaving the corner for someone else to take, before sprinting back and firing in a ball for Divock Origi to score the fourth goal – the one that took Liverpool through to the Champions League final.
Lineker said, “One of the cleverest, cheekiest, most brilliant bits of football I’ve witnessed… from the 20-year-old.”
Many Leeds fans pointed out that if this was Leeds, they would have been labelled unsporting, with one fan saying sarcastically, “It’s not what we do in this country.”
Another said it was a great bit of trickery but that if Leeds had done it they would have been vilified by the media.
This comes on the back of Aston Villa kicking off after Leeds scored a goal with one of their players down injured. Many pundits said it was unsporting behaviour and that manager Marcelo Bielsa was right to let Villa walk through his side for an equaliser.
The two goals are very different but you can see how some might point out that Alexander-Arnold’s corner wasn’t the most sporting.
However, of all the pundits, Lineker has been one of the most positive about Leeds and he had previously said he found the whole spygate episode funny.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans to the Alexander-Arnold goal:
It’s not what we do in this country? #lufc
— Rutherford B. Crazy (@officialSeanC) May 7, 2019
Great bit of trickery but have to think If that had been done by an @LUFC player they’d of been vilified by the media, the goal disallowed, made to retake take the corner and probably docked points
— LdsLoiner (@LdsLoiner) May 8, 2019
What a difference a week makes – Leeds do it and all hell is let loose, Liverpool do it and it's clelebrated as a masterclass of innovation.
— George____ (@george28265) May 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/winspear_marc/status/1126024710041546752
https://twitter.com/rog3000/status/1126017371263635458
If this was Leeds they'd be complaining that we tricked them unfairly because they thought he wasn't going to take it.
— 8ball75 (@8ballwakefield) May 8, 2019
Good job its not a leeds player trying this. The corrupt efl & fa would have our pants down for deception and not sporting towards another ??
— D Whitaker (@DWhitaker16) May 8, 2019
And if Pablo Hernandez had done it Sky/Talksport would be banging the unsportsmanlike conduct drum.
— Me (@MyNamesNumbers) May 8, 2019
Great that but can’t help thinking if we swapped Liverpool for Leeds, Ayling for Terence Trent Darby, that goal would have been ruled out, corner retaken, Barca break out and score, ends 4-4 and we’re out on away goals. That would be so Leeds ?? #lufc https://t.co/AV6txXiMvO
— Ed (@cheeno64) May 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/CQJB/status/1126031253671686145
#lufc Bielsa would have given them a goal back! https://t.co/dzoQJ1eDMl
— David Watkins (@DaveLUFCWatkins) May 8, 2019
If this was Leeds, it would be a 3 game ban and a fine. Eh @EFL @FA #LUFC https://t.co/9KFVGQgFfI
— Baz (@BazzaHammy) May 8, 2019
If @LUFC would have done this @elf would have penalised us for unsportsmanlike conduct and ordered a replay #lufc https://t.co/av04nEnaTD
— Jonny the Outlaw (@jonnyfallas) May 8, 2019
But @official_tyro can’t creep down the wing without everyone crying about it?? ? #LUFC https://t.co/bZO2r60gQS
— Chris Coombs (@ChrisCoombs5) May 8, 2019
@AVFCOfficial would have cried for them to walk one in! #shittestteaminbirmingham #lufc #MOT #ALAW @LUFC https://t.co/Tkki7NLe84
— Dale Shutt (@daleshutt) May 7, 2019