Liverpool star Florian Writz was caught in the chest by a Brighton player’s studs but VAR controversially did not recommend a red card
Liverpool have been given an explanation as to why Diego Gomez wasn’t sent off during the Reds’ clash with Brighton on Saturday. As the first half drew to a close, the midfielder caught Florian Wirtz in the chest with a high foot, as the German dropped to the floor, writhing in pain.
The incident sparked immediate debate on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, with a number of panellists giving their take on whether the challenge warranted a yellow or a red card. Tim Sherwood said: “Gomez. I think it’s a red card, I honestly do. I just think Wirtz wins it before him, he knows it. He’s not even there to go and win the ball.
“He’s already played the ball, Wirtz, and he goes and makes out he tried to win the ball, Gomez. His foot is in his chest and he’s just studded him down, and dragged it down into his abdominal region. So, for me, that was a red card. I think they’re going to check it.”
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Former referee, Mike Dean, also added: “I think it’s red. The ball’s gone up…The only thing I would say that they might look at is as he’s gone up to come down, he may have caught him on the way down.
“There’s no real force in it, but his foot shouldn’t be that high. He’s caught him in the stomach then he’s kind of come down into his body. So, for me, it’s more red than yellow.”
However, a yellow card was ultimately brandished towards Gomez for the foul, with VAR explaining how they came to their verdict on social media. The Premier League Match Centre X account wrote: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Gomez was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge on Wirtz deemed not to be with excessive force and not serious foul play.”
It comes as Mohamed Salah also made his return to the pitch following a scathing assessment of his relationship with Arne Slot. The Egyptian found himself benched for Saturday’s encounter against Brighton, in the wake of a brutal rant directed towards his manager in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United last weekend.
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In which he said: “I don’t know what to say. It’s kind of funny, I couldn’t believe it. It’s a disappointing result for us as a team. We conceded silly goals. I could not help my team-mates because I am on the bench. I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes.
“That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
“That’s how I feel it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now, I’m on bench, so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.
“I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. (It) seems like someone does not want me in the club.”
However, a first-half problem with Joe Gomez saw the 33-year-old make his way onto the pitch of Anfield, where he was welcomed with an ovation from fans inside the ground.
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