The Premier League match between Newcastle and Liverpool on Wednesday evening ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, delivering one of the most exciting encounters of the season. This match added to the history of intense clashes between the two sides, reminding fans of memorable contests such as the 4-3 victories in the 1990s. However, while the match was exhilarating, it was also marred by controversial officiating decisions.
One of the most debated incidents involved a challenge by Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak in the penalty box. Quansah appeared to foul Isak, but the incident was waved away by the referee, with no penalty given after a VAR review. Isak had been one of the standout players for Newcastle, impressing both home and rival supporters with his performance. On Match of the Day, pundits Gary Lineker, Micah Richards, and Martin Keown discussed the decision.
Lineker and Keown both felt that Newcastle should have been awarded a penalty, with Keown remarking that the defender’s challenge looked like a foul, even if there was some contact with the ball. Richards, however, defended the decision, suggesting that Quansah did manage to get a touch on the ball before making contact with Isak. Despite that, Lineker insisted that the challenge was still a foul, and that Newcastle were denied a legitimate penalty opportunity.
The officiating blunders didn’t end there. Referee Andy Madley also faced criticism for booking Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister for what was perceived as a soft foul. However, the most contentious moment occurred right at the end of the match, when Madley blew for full-time while Newcastle were launching a promising counter-attack. The decision to end the game while the ball was still in play drew further attention from Lineker, who pointed out that referees usually allow the attacking team to complete the phase of play before blowing the final whistle. While it’s uncertain if Newcastle would have scored from the counter-attack, the timing of the whistle prevented them from having a chance to potentially snatch a late winner.
The controversial moments sparked plenty of debate, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the refereeing decisions in what was otherwise an entertaining and action-packed game.