Liverpool have been told they were wrongly denied a clear penalty during their goalless Premier League draw with Leeds United at Anfield, with a former top official stating striker Hugo Ekitike was 'punished for his honesty' by staying on his feet.
Controversial Incident Mars Anfield Stalemate
The pivotal moment occurred in the first half of Thursday night's match. French forward Hugo Ekitike, leading the line for Arne Slot's side, appeared to be clearly tugged and held by Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol inside the penalty area. Ekitike managed to stay upright and get a shot away, prompting on-field referee Chris Kavanagh to wave away Liverpool's passionate appeals for a spot-kick.
The decision proved costly in a match of few clear chances, resulting in a frustrating 0-0 draw for the Reds. This was their second stalemate against Daniel Farke's Leeds this season, following a 3-3 thriller at Elland Road in December.
Ref Watch Verdict: 'A Clear Penalty and Red Card'
The incident was analysed on Sky Sports' 'Ref Watch' segment on Friday, where former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher delivered a damning verdict. Gallagher insisted that not only should a penalty have been awarded, but Bijol should also have been sent off.
'I watched this live and looked at it and thought, "this is exactly why players go down,"' Gallagher explained. 'In my view, if Ekitike goes down, I think not only a penalty, but Bijol is sent off because he has grabbed him and grabbed him and grabbed him. He stays on his feet... and that makes it a much more difficult decision for the referee.'
Gallagher concluded that the landscape of the decision would have changed entirely had Ekitike chosen to fall, highlighting a perennial issue in the modern game.
Players 'Not Rewarded for Honesty'
Former England and Premier League footballer Jay Bothroyd, also appearing on the programme, wholeheartedly agreed with Gallagher's assessment. Bothroyd argued that the incident was a prime example of a player being penalised for trying to play fairly.
'You do not get rewarded for honesty and that is the problem,' Bothroyd stated. 'Because players are not getting rewarded, like Ekitike there, who is trying to be strong and stay on his feet, I would be telling him, "If that happens again, fall on the floor."'
He added that such a fall would have forced the officials to make a decision on what he and Gallagher deemed an obvious foul that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Top Four Hopes Dented Amid Tough Run-In
The dropped points at home to Leeds ensure Liverpool remain in the Premier League's top four, a position aided by Chelsea's concurrent draw with Bournemouth. However, the failure to win has created a palpable sense of a missed opportunity to strengthen their grip on Champions League qualification.
This feeling is amplified by the daunting fixture list that now awaits Arne Slot's squad. Liverpool travel to face Fulham this Sunday, a team that has often proven to be a tricky opponent. Following that, they have a monumental clash away at league leaders Arsenal, who are in formidable form after dismantling Aston Villa 4-1.
While Liverpool narrowly defeated the Gunners at Anfield earlier in the season, their current inconsistent form makes the upcoming trip to the Emirates a significantly tougher prospect, increasing the significance of the points lost against Leeds.
