Liverpool produced a late comeback to defeat Crystal Palace on a 2-1 scoreline at Selhurst Park this afternoon, although opinion has been split in relation to one big decision that ultimately had a huge part to play in deciding the final result.
The away side were incredibly poor for the opening 75 minutes or so of the game, being largely outplayed by Crystal Palace and failing to create any real chances of note.
They found themselves 1-0 down in the 57th minute on the back of a penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta, which was a deserved lead for the host.
However, the game would then be flipped on its head in the space of 60 seconds.
The first part of that came when Jordan Ayew was sent off, getting his marching orders after a picking up a second yellow card. It was given after he tripped up Harvey Elliott to halt a Liverpool counterattack.
📸🟥 - RED CARD AYEW! (2x 🟨). pic.twitter.com/MS00NnpVRi
— football b*stards (@FootballBstards) December 9, 2023
Liverpool would then level the scores one minute later, with Mohamed Salah's deflected effort getting his side back on level terms.
Jurgen Klopp's side would go on to push for the winner over the remainder of the game, which they would eventually get via a brilliant strike from Harvey Elliott just as the clock ticked into injury time.
WHAT A HIT, HARVEY 💎 pic.twitter.com/p26IajczkV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 9, 2023
The result was enough to move Liverpool top of the Premier League, at least until Saturday evening.
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Liverpool fans call out TNT Sports for Ayew red card coverage
The red card given to Jordan Ayew has caused a bit of controversy. While it seemed like a fair call, the commentary team on TNT Sports were oddly baffled by the decision.
The same could be said of Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch, who had this to say on TNT Sports after the game:
"That was not a second yellow card at all" ❌@lynseyhipgrave1, @rioferdy5, and @petercrouch reflect on Jordan Ayew's second yellow card that took Palace down to 10 men 🟥 pic.twitter.com/t2GZuFVTEb
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 9, 2023
Ferdinand: I didn't agree with the red card, but you have to say, Liverpool are used to doing this (producing comebacks)...
The feeling in the stadium was one of complete shock. Crouchy just went 'what'...
I just don't see that as being a yellow. Sometimes you've got to play in the factor that this is a person on a yellow card as well, that should come into it.
There is no animosity in the tackle. I know it's maybe a tactical foul in a sense, but I don't think that's a yellow card at all.
Crouch: I think if Joe Gomez is in, then potentially. But there was cover, it's not as if he was going through on goal or down the right on his own. I think it was a little bit harsh.
In the stadium, no player or fan reacted. It felt like the referee made that decision on his own.
The reaction from both the commentators and pundits on TNT Sports has not gone down well with Liverpool fans.
They were quick to call out the broadcaster for creating controversy over the decision.
@rioferdy5 just said on @footballontnt it was a tactical foul. That makes it a booking for Unsporting Conduct. @petercrouch just said it's not as if Liverpool were through on goal. If they were, it would be a straight red, not just a yellow. #CRYLIV
— Ashwin Kumar (@KumarAshwin) December 9, 2023
Gomez is away when the foul is committed, defender then has to come over to cover, freeing up Salah in a potential goal scoring position. Tactical Foul, it ain’t that hard @rioferdy5 @petercrouch #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/RNHGz83mRS
— Glen_the_red ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@glen_the_red) December 9, 2023
Rio Ferdinand talking absolute bollocks again, its a blatant foul to stop us breaking, it's a 2nd yellow all day, players fault for getting the stupid one earlier in the game
— Mark Sutherland * (@markenello) December 9, 2023
#RioFerdinand just sounds bitter and twisted..
— Shaun (@LfcShaunjudge) December 9, 2023
Embarrassing how biased Rio Ferdinand is #CRYLIV #Liverpool
— Ryan Walsh (@ryanwalsh12_) December 9, 2023
Ayew stopped a counter attack while on a yellow card, i really don’t understand the bemusement from TNT because he was sent off
— Josh 🧣 (@josha1995_) December 9, 2023
I have never heard commentary so outwardly criticise an official like the commentators on TNT Sport right now for what is a very clear 2nd yellow for Ayew. Feel like I’m going insane because it was such an obvious red card and they’ve spent a good 10 minutes complaining
— Zach McElroy (@ZachMcElroy1) December 9, 2023
TNT commentary lovely & unbiased as usual. Palace got 2 penalties off Andy Madley, and 2 fully-deserved yellows for Ayew, but every time a decision went against them Darren Fletcher sounded like he wanted to personally go give Roy Hodgson a cuddle
— ben (@b3nto_box) December 9, 2023
Genuinely baffled by TNT Sports' outrage over Ayew being sent off
No one thinks it was a dirty challenge. He stopped a counter attack, which has always been a yellow.
Pretty simple.
But the way they're banging on and moaning about it...#CRYLIV #TNTSports #Liverpool— Goal TBC Assist None (@GoalTBC_FPL) December 9, 2023
Is this a case of Liverpool fans being biased in their view, or is it a matter of pundits and commentators feeling that the game was made worse by a soft yellow card that ultimately had a decisive factor on the the outcome of the contest?
In any case, Jurgen Klopp will be thrilled to see his team come away with all three points.
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