Tim Sherwood has accused Mohamed Salah of diving after Liverpool was awarded a penalty in the first half against Crystal Palace, with the decision later overturned by VAR.
Liverpool thought it had a chance to take the lead midway through the first half at Anfield when Salah went down under a challenge from Brennan Johnson inside the penalty area. However, the Palace winger insisted he had made contact with the ball as he immediately protested the decision to referee Andy Madley.
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After a brief delay, Madley was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR to review the incident. Following the review, the decision was overturned, with replays showing that Johnson had made contact with the ball before any challenge on Salah.
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Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Sherwood critcized Salah’s decision-making, insisting that Johnson didn’t make contact with the 33-year-old. “Johnson is adamant he hasn’t made contact with Salah” said the ex-Tottenham manager. “I think he’s dived. It’s on the edge of the box anyway and there’s no contact. Johnson plays the ball as well. Salah jumps straight up.”
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Former Premier League referee Mike Dean also offered his thoughts on the initial decision. He told Soccer Saturday: “I don’t think it’s a penalty. Johnson needs to get the ball and Salah’s knocked it past him. Johnson touches the ball and I don’t even think Salah is looking for a penalty, he just loses his balance and goes down. It shouldn’t be a penalty and if anything, it’s just outside as well.”
Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre account on X said: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Liverpool. Referee announcement: “After review, Crystal Palace number 11 gets a touch on the ball. My final decision is a drop ball to the goalkeeper – no penalty.”
The overturned penalty ultimately had little impact on the outcome, as Liverpool soon went ahead through Alexander Isak, who scored his first goal since December after returning from injury.
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Tim Sherwood was not impressed with the decision to award Liverpool a penalty -Credit:Getty Images
Andy Robertson then added a second for the Reds, finishing off a move sparked by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who impressed on his first league start. The third-choice keeper was thrust into action due to injuries to both Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Speaking ahead of the Palace game, Slot said that Woodman was “ready” to step in. “I think for a reason we have signed an experienced third goalkeeper,” said Slot. Usually, you don’t need him that much, but there could be a situation where one gets injured and another gets suspended, then it is needed to have a third goalkeeper with experience. That’s why we were happy we could pick him up on a free transfer this summer.
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“Apart from him being a good goalkeeper, which he has shown. When he was young, he won the Euros with the [England] Under-17s and I think with the Under-20s he won the World Cup. Then he made a career at Newcastle and has the experience to play definitely at Championship, but even at Premier League level.
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“Apart from that, he is a good man and is very liked in the dressing room. That is very important for a third goalkeeper, if he is not playing. He is ready for it, but it will always be helpful if the fans are there to support him tomorrow.”
