Premier League explain why Liverpool penalty decision stood as Matthias Jaissle bemoans ‘soft’ call…

The Premier League has clarified the reasoning behind the penalty awarded to Liverpool, which allowed them to secure a point against Newcastle.

Dominik Szoboszlai converted the penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time after VAR upheld the referee’s initial decision.

As the match approached its conclusion, Liverpool made a frantic attempt to score, sending a ball into the penalty area.

Initially cleared, the ball found its way to new signing Victor Munoz, who advanced into the box and tried to maneuver past Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.

In the process, Hall shifted to his left, making contact with Munoz’s knee and thigh, resulting in the winger going down.

Referee Stuart Atwell promptly awarded a penalty to Andoni Iraola’s team in the final moments of the game.

VAR reviewed the situation and concurred that a penalty was warranted, much to the dismay of the fans at St. James’ Park.

Szoboszlai subsequently struck the ball into the top corner from the penalty spot, rescuing a point for Liverpool.

The penalty decision was met with significant disapproval from Newcastle fans, and manager Matthias Jaissle described it as ‘soft’ in his post-match comments.

While opinions on the call were divided, the Premier League took to social media to explain their rationale.

On their Match Centre account, they stated: ‘The referee’s decision to award a penalty for the challenge by Hall on Muñoz was reviewed and confirmed by VAR.

‘REF: ‘He doesn’t play the ball. He makes clear contact.’ VAR: ‘It’s knee into thigh contact. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty.’

Liverpool has lodged an appeal for a penalty against Newcastle.

The referee awarded a penalty after Hall made contact with Munoz.

Was the referee’s decision justified?

Despite the reasoning provided, former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew expressed his disagreement with the penalty call.

He stated on talkSPORT’s The Final Word: “They send it into the box, it reaches him…it’s minimal in my view.

“I believe the referee should have allowed play to continue and not awarded the penalty.”

Newcastle’s manager Jaissle shared a similar perspective, commenting to Sky Sports after the match: “It’s a very soft decision. If you start giving those, there will be an abundance of penalties in the future.

“I don’t support that, but I can’t elaborate further.”

On the other hand, within the Liverpool camp, Ryan Gravenberch asserted that he views it as a ‘clear foul’ by Hall on Munoz.

This sentiment was also supported by Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge on Sky Sports, who acknowledged that while it was ‘harsh’, the contact was evident, thus making it a ‘well-deserved penalty’.