Tim Sherwood aghast that Leeds United did not get a penalty at Liverpool
Leeds United were “robbed” of a penalty early in the 6-0 loss at Liverpool when Dan James was taken out by Alisson, according to Tim Sherwood.
With the game still goalless the Welsh attacker caught the Reds’ keeper in possession and was brought down in the box, giving Joel Matip time to get back and clear, but Michael Oliver saw nothing wrong.
Former Whites winger Harry Kewell suggested that without the contact United would have gone a goal up, saying on the Supersport broadcast at halftime: “If he hasn’t been taken away, Dan James has got an open goal.”
When it was suggested that the Brazilian got the ball first, former Tottenham boss Sherwood was unequivocal: “Absolutely right, he does. But then he volleys Dan James in the penalty area.
“It’s a penalty. It’s nothing other than a penalty.
“When I see tackles in the middle of the park, if you play the ball first and you follow through and catch the player they always give a foul. That is a foul.
“Alisson has fouled James and they’ve been robbed of a penalty early on.”
Turning point missed
Had James capitalised on the home stoppers’ mistake to put the visitors a goal up, or a penalty been awarded that could easily have resulted in a shock lead, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the game at Anfield would have been very different.
Such is the quality of Jurgen Klopp’s side, and the risky nature of Marcelo Bielsa’s tactics, the home side may have simply run out 6-1 victors.
But with the title suddenly back in the sights and the pressure of a chance to chase down Manchester City back on, a major error by a key performer being punished early could have changed things.
It would have given United’s beleaguered players a confidence boost, in stark contrast to the psychological hammering they did receive.
In the midst of such a punishing run of form Leeds need everything possible to fall in their favour.
In this instance the referee and the VAR did not help, possibly since James quickly sprung to his feet in search of the loose ball.
That should not have mattered though and with the opening gone Liverpool went on to dump the visitors right into the relegation battle.
In other Leeds United news, Gabby Agbonlahor destroyed the manager on talkSPORT following the defeat.