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Stephen Warnock and Martin Tyler react to Leeds United controversy at 0-0 in Liverpool clash
Leeds United could have had a penalty during a first-half sequence in their 6-0 loss at Liverpool, according to Stephen Warnock and Martin Tyler.
With the game still goalless, Daniel James nicked the ball off Liverpool keeper Alisson and was taken to the ground but quickly got up and nothing was given, as Joel Matip cleared.
Former Reds defender Warnock and commentator Tyler believed that his eagerness to try to score prevented Michael Oliver from having to make a decision.
Speaking live on the Premier League’s World Feed for the game, Warnock said: “I think if he [stays] down he gets a penalty. I think he’s been a little bit too honest.
“You know you’re going to get that from Daniel James. Speed, closing down, and he just gets to the ball quicker than Alisson can make his decision.
“He’s very fortunate that Joel Matip senses the danger and gets round on the cover.”
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Tyler added: “It looked as though James thought he was going to pick himself up and score, rather than stay down and get a penalty.”
Warnock summed up: “That’s the big decision isn’t it, exactly right Martin, I don’t think he saw Joel Matip was there.”
Sliding doors
In what quickly turned out to be another painful Premier League outing for the Whites that sequence could have made all the difference.
The Brazilian goalkeeper did appear to impede the Welsh forward’s ability to get to the loose ball quickly for what would have been an open goal.
In knocking him to the ground it allowed his teammate Matip to get back and clear the danger.
As so often, it seems that officials need a cue to start looking at potential infringements.
If James had rolled around the penalty area feigning an injury then the decision might have been looked at.
Had United been able to take a shock lead at Anfield they would have at least stood a chance to take something from the game.
Instead Mohamed Salah soon converted the first of two penalties for the home side, which sandwiched a Matip strike to see Marcelo Bielsa’s side go in 3-0 down at the break and with the game basically out of sight.
In other Leeds United news, one Sky Sports pundit expects a key Whites teenager to leave if the club are relegated.