Confusion reigned on the sidelines at Anfield on Sunday night with the final advice to give the first Tottenham penalty against Liverpool apparently provided by Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen.
In an astonishing four way conversation between referee Jon Moss, linesman Eddie Smart, Liverpool captain Emre Can and Eriksen, the two officials repeatedly said “I don’t know” to the question if Dejan Lovren had touched Dele Alli’s through ball to Harry Kane, thus putting the Spurs playmaker onside.
Neither Moss or Smart have the answer. Moss even admits he has “no idea.”
Eriksen then interjects that Lovren did touch the ball. Moss then asks fourth official Martin Atkinson to check the TV on the sideline – a move he later admitted was wrong to call for.
Moss then decides to award the penalty.
Moss consults with Smart as Eriksen tries to keep Can away.
Without input from Atkinson or new information from Smart it may well have been Eriksen’s input that made him point to the spot.
Here is the transcript of the conversation:
Smart: “All I need to know, did Lovren touch the ball?”
Moss: “I don’t know.”
Smart: “If he’s not touched the ball, it is offside, so you’re chalking off the penalty. It has to be offside if Lovren has not touched the ball.”
Christian Eriksen: “He did touch the ball.”
Emre Can: “He didn’t touch the ball.”
Moss (TO SMART): “Just talk to me again.”
Smart: “You know what I’m asking; I need to clarify, has Lovren touched the ball?
“If he has, it’s a deliberate action and, therefore, it’s a penalty. If he has not, it is offside.”
Moss: “I have no idea whether Lovren touched the ball to be honest with you.
Martin, have you got anything from TV? I’m giving the penalty.”
Moss points to the spot.
Moss then pointed to the spot send Liverpool players and fans into meltdown.
Understandably Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was fuming after the game and accused match officials for wanting to be centre of attention.
“Did you ever hear? I am not allowed to go in their room until half an hour after,” he raged.
“It was clear offside, unbelievable, I don’t know what they were discussing.”
In one of the year’s most incident filled encounters Tottenham went on to snatch a draw thanks to another controversial penalty after Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have kicked Erik Lamela from behind.
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