Former England striker Michael Owen has found himself at the centre of a fiery football debate after his controversial analysis of Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 victory over Newcastle United.
The ex-Reds and Magpies forward sparked outrage among fans and pundits by defending the decision to award Newcastle a first-half penalty following a controversial incident involving Anthony Gordon and Liverpool's Martin Ødegaard.
Owen's Controversial Stance Divides Football World
Speaking after the match, Owen insisted: "I think it's a penalty. I know there'll be a lot of Liverpool fans fuming at that. I think there's enough contact." His comments immediately ignited social media, with many accusing him of bias despite his history with both clubs.
The incident occurred when Gordon went down under minimal contact from Ødegaard, with referee Anthony Taylor immediately pointing to the spot. VAR reviewed the decision but surprisingly opted not to overturn it, leaving Liverpool players and staff bewildered.
Fan Backlash and Social Media Storm
Football supporters quickly took to various platforms to express their disbelief at Owen's analysis. One fan tweeted: "Michael Owen trying to justify that penalty decision is absolutely embarrassing. Clear dive from Gordon!"
Another added: "Owen's commentary becomes more questionable every season. That was never a penalty in a million years."
Pundits Clash Over VAR Controversy
The decision divided professional opinions too, with several high-profile pundits questioning both the on-field call and VAR's failure to intervene. The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a spectacular match featuring brilliant goals from Mohamed Salah, who netted twice despite his penalty miss.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher later admitted: "I think VAR should have recommended a review. The contact was minimal and Gordon was already going down."
Match Outcome Overshadowed by Debate
Despite the controversy, Liverpool emerged victorious with a 4-2 win that cemented their position at the top of the Premier League table. However, the post-match discussion focused almost entirely on the penalty incident and Owen's defence of the decision.
The incident has reignited debates about consistency in VAR decisions and the quality of punditry in modern football coverage, proving that sometimes the post-match analysis creates more drama than the game itself.
