Bournemouth defender Adam Smith claims that Liverpool players felt the awarding of a penalty against him on Saturday was ‘harsh.’
Smith was adjudged to have handled in the box during the second-half of Bournemouth’s 1-0 win, handing the Reds a way back into the match. Unfortunately for them, Mohamed Salah blazed the opportunity wide.
And speaking to BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club last night, Smith suggested both sets of players felt justice was done.
“Honestly, the ref didn’t want to talk to us as players. It came on the big screen and even some of the Liverpool lads said to me, ‘blimey, that’s harsh,” said the 31-year-old.
“I jumped, it may look like I looked at the ball, but I was naturally just looking at the player behind me and obviously it’s just hit my arm. I don’t know how I’m meant to defend the back post, I can’t jump with my arms behind me or down right by my side. You jump with your arms, so it’s really frustrating for a defender.”
Liverpool miss rare penalty chance
In fairness, Smith does have a point here. If the decision on Saturday had been given against Liverpool, we wouldn’t have been too happy with it.
But in his justification, Smith does fail to omit one very key piece of information. Diogo Jota’s header was goal-bound. Had the defender’s arm not got in the way, the ball would likely have found the net.
In our opinion, that reason alone makes it good enough for a penalty. As Salah proved, Liverpool would have much rather taken the goal than the penalty. So, whether he meant to or not, Smith actively denied the Reds an equaliser on Saturday.
From a Liverpool point of view, it was nice to finally see one of these decisions go in our favour. Remarkably, that was the first penalty awarded to Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Premier League all season long.
One spot-kick apiece in the Community Shield and the Champions League was Liverpool’s tally before Saturday. Both were expertly dispatched by Salah.
But with the last one coming way back on October 4th against Rangers, you can perhaps forgive him for being rusty. As often happens in football, the next chance surely won’t be too far away for Mo. Fingers crossed he sticks that one the right side of the post.