Mohamed Salah felt he should have been awarded a first-half penalty against Manchester City – but referee Craig Pawson turned the Liverpool forward’s appeals down
Kieran King Football Writer
17:34, 08 Feb 2026Updated 19:02, 08 Feb 2026
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah went down under pressure from Man City star Bernardo Silva
Gary Neville has claimed that on-field referee Craig Pawson made the right decision not to award Liverpool and Mohamed Salah a penalty in the first half in their clash with Manchester City. Salah, 33, was insistent that he was fouled in the 41st minute after going down inside the box.
The Egyptian felt that he was pulled back by Bernardo Silva, who appeared to have his hand on Salah’s shoulder before the Liverpool forward went crashing down as he appealed for a spot-kick. However, Pawson waved away appeals and VAR also did not get involved.
Delivering his verdict on the incident, Neville said while on co-commentary for Sky Sports: “He felt a hand on the shoulder and went down. I don’t think there is enough there.
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“There’s a bit of a panic from Bernardo Silva as he thinks he’s going to score, but he lets go in time. He’s not going to get that. Bernardo Silva was clever enough not to leave his hand on the shoulder for too long.”
Liverpool were far from their best during the opening 45 minutes against City.
Indeed, Arne Slot’s side had just three shots with none on target worth an expected goals (xG) of just 0.14.
City were much more superior, with Pep Guardiola’s team having 10 shots, with three of them on target to an xG of 1.17. They also created one big chance and had 61 per cent possession.
Liverpool have been told why it was the right call not to award them a penalty.
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“I think Liverpool have been poor,” Jamie Carragher said at half-time. “I don’t think you can give that much space to the quality that Manchester City have. At times, there is just too much space in the midfield.”
Roy Keane added: “It’s been lacking in quality in the final third. Haaland has had a couple of chances. City have been very good going forward. Liverpool are suffering but they are still very much in this game.
“They have to be better when they do get their moments.
“City look strong but it’s nil-nil and Liverpool are in the game, attacking the Kop in the second half.”
The Reds were much more positive and upped the tempo after the break. Indeed, Slot’s side had the same amount of shots (with one of those on target) in the first eight minutes of the second half compared to the whole first half. In that time, they created a xG of 0.19. City, meanwhile, struggled to get out.
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