Michael Owen and Rafa Benitez agree over the disallowed goal in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City.
The Reds claimed a 1-0 victory in Sunday's big match at Anfield thanks to a second-half goal from Mohamed Salah. Jurgen Klopp’s side moved up to eighth place in the table, ahead of a home clash against West Ham United in midweek.
Earlier in the game, Man City thought they had taken the lead through Phil Foden. However, the goal was chalked off after a VAR check with Erling Haaland deemed to have fouled Fabinho in the build-up.
READ MORE: Why Mike Dean will send text message to Anthony Taylor after Liverpool controversy
Former Liverpool boss Benitez thought that the right decision was made, but questioned why referee Anthony Taylor did not award a free-kick in the first instance.
“One of my concerns as a manager is that, when you allow a game to carry on, it could be one minute extra, you could have an injury, a red card, a goal disallowed,” Benitez told Premier League Productions. “So then everything will change. It’s not easy to make a decision, because the game is very fast.
“It’s true, for me it was a foul. And everything that can happen after that is a risk. For the players, the fans, for everyone. So they have to adjust that, or it will be a problem in the future.”
Owen agreed with Benitez that the foul was the right decision. However, the ex-Reds striker went on to explain why he was not a fan of the goal being disallowed.
Owen said: “I think once the referee has seen it and played on, then unless something really drastic happens. Unless the hands of Alisson were on the ball or in the actual moment of them scoring. But going back 10 seconds earlier for a tiny tug.
“I do think it was a foul, don’t get me wrong. But going back that far, because otherwise you’ll just keep going back and back and back. I don’t know, being a neutral I would say it’s pretty harsh.”
Owen added: “Everyone thinks it’s a foul, and it is a foul. It’s just whether it’s big enough a foul or in the right area to keep going back.
“I just feel that every time a goal is scored, we’re trying to nitpick and try to find a reason to disallow it. That’s my point.
“We’re trying to disallow goals all the time. The referee has seen that and it’s a foul but he didn’t give it..
“Is it bad enough to keep going back? I don't think so.”
READ NEXT
-
Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah and two others brilliant vs Man City
- Pep Guardiola hits out at decisions and claims he was targeted with coins
- Liverpool fans say same thing about Martin Tyler commentary after disallowed Man City goal
- What Pep Guardiola said to Anfield crowd after Phil Foden goal disallowed vs Liverpool
- Why Jurgen Klopp was sent off during Liverpool's win vs Manchester City
