Latest Liverpool news as a refereeing expert explains why one call was wrong in the Reds defeat at Crystal Palace
One former referee says Federico Chiesa’s goal should have stood in Crystal Palace vs Liverpool(Image: Alex Broadway/Getty Images))
Liverpool’s late equaliser that almost salvaged a draw during Saturday’s drama-laden defeat to Crystal Palace should not have been allowed to stand. That is the opinion of former head of the refereeing body PGMOL, Keith Hackett.
The Reds had been in search of an equaliser to Ismaila Sarr’s opener for the majority of the match at Selhurst Park. They finally found one in the 87th minute, as Federico Chiesa reacted quickest in the penalty area when a deflection took the ball into his path.
However, Hackett strongly believes that the goal should have been chalked off because of an alleged handball by Mohamed Salah in the build-up.
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Referee Chris Kavanagh did not move to cancel Liverpool‘s goal. His video assistant referee (VAR), Matt Donodue, reviewed the footage but did not take it any further.
“It is difficult to understand when you see on video replay the deliberate handball from Salah, who has made his body shape larger, reaching out to the sky,” Hackett blasted, speaking to Football Insider.
“There is a relationship problem, or a technical problem, because the video evidence is clear and obvious that a handball incident took place. It should be penalised. Full stop.”
As Chiesa’s goal was allowed to stand, it set up the grandstand finish for Palace to take all three points for themselves. Eddie Nketiah was in the correct place at the correct time and fired beyond Alisson unchallenged in the 97th minute.
This brought Liverpool’s five-game winning streak at the start of the 2025/26 campaign to an abrupt end, and shrunk their lead on points at the top of the Premier League table.
But had it been ruled out as Hackett states should have been the outcome, the final three minutes of regulation time plus what was afforded as stoppage time would have been altered.
Perhaps the Reds would have found a different breakthrough without reply, or their hosts might have rubber stamped their victory beyond question.
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