Dermot Gallagher has defended the decision of Andre Marriner to award Liverpool a controversial free kick, which led to Divock Origi scoring a late winner for the Reds in their 3-2 win at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The free kick, which led to Liverpool’s winner, was awarded by Marriner after Fabinho went down by the touchline near to the corner, after Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie had closed down the Brazilian making very little, to no, contact on the 25-year-old.
Former Premier League referee Gallagher, though, defended the decision on Sky Sports News’ ref watch on Monday (01:27pm), saying: “They waited too long to give it, if they had given the foul for the initial offence, where he’s grabbed him there and I think if a foul had have been given no one would have said anything.”
“The other thing I would say is that if the free kick hadn’t have gone in we wouldn’t even be looking at it.”
OPINION
Gallagher’s defence of Andre Marriner is difficult to agree with, given there appeared to be very little contact from Matt Ritchie on Fabinho, before the Liverpool player went to ground and was awarded the free kick. However, he may have a point that had Newcastle defended the set piece better and Liverpool not scored a vital winner as a result, there probably would not have been as much scrutiny over the incident. Although that is no comfort to Newcastle supporters, or players, after the Magpies gave their all in a very engaging encounter that saw them twice come back from a goal behind. Rafa Benitez’s side were looking like they had done enough to earn a very good point against a Liverpool side who needed to win the game to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title. The general feeling amongst Newcastle supporters about the awarding of the free kick is that it was the worng decision, and despite Gallagher’s defence of the decision it is difficult to disagree with the view that it was a very harsh decision.