Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has hit out at Mohamed Salah and VAR on Twitter following Porto’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
The legendary keeper could do nothing to stop Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino handing Liverpool the advantage in the tie.
As a result, Casillas’ frustration came out on Twitter following the 2-0 defeat, as he posted a message alongside two images from the game.
Soy 100 por 100 optimista!! Teniendo en cuenta los resultados de octavos de @ChampionsLeague no podemos pensar que la eliminatoria está perdida. Falta el juego en Dragao y vamos a luchar por pasar a las semifinales. Gracias a todos los portistas por el apoyo en Liverpool!! pic.twitter.com/3w1xst6ULP
— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) April 9, 2019
The tweet translates as: “I am 100% optimistic! Considering the results of [the previous round] of the Champions League we cannot think that the eliminator is lost.
“[We have] the game in Dragao and we will fight to move to the semi-finals. Thanks to all the Portistas for the support in Liverpool!”
Alongside the message, he posted pictures of Salah’s controversial tackle on Danilo and the handball incident reviewed by VAR.
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Neither resulted in punishment for Liverpool, which has clearly angered Casillas, prompting him to post the message to his followers.
The message seems somewhat out of character for Casillas, who has almost always been seen as a model and classy professional.
It’s fair to say that Salah’s tackle was rather rash and dangerous, and certainly could’ve seen him sent off.
(Photo by David Blunsden/Action Plus via Getty Images)
However, the alleged handball by Trent Alexander-Arnold was reviewed by VAR and as a result was waved away.
It seems as though Casillas feels biter and that these decisions swayed the game in Liverpool’s favour.
However, the same could be said for when Salah rode Felipe’s challenge when through on goal and consequently didn’t go down.
(Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
This would easily have been a penalty and a certain red card, leaving Porto facing the majority of the game with 10 men.
Yet because Salah stayed on his feet and missed the subsequent chance, Porto’s hopes were still alive.
Casillas’ comments, above all, leave a bad taste in the mouth, and taint a stellar reputation and mutual respect between Liverpool fans.
Whether he seeks to speak further on the issue before the second leg remains to be seen.
Consequently, it adds a little more spice heading into the return leg in Portugal, where Liverpool are favourites to progress.