Pundits react to controversial Liverpool penalty vs. Inter: ‘Definitely a light decision’

The vast majority of the British press agrees that Liverpool were fortunate to be given a late penalty in their 1-0 victory over Inter in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, which sentenced Cristian Chivu’s side to their second consecutive defeat in the competition: ‘I’d be very disappointed if this went against me’. 

Inter were beaten 1-0 in San Siro through an 88th-minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty, which had been awarded after the slightest of shirt pulls on Florian Wirtz in the area by Nerazzurri centre-back Alessandro Bastoni. 

The Italian press has not looked too kindly on referee Felix Zwayer, nor VAR Sören Storks, who were deemed ‘incompetent’ as a result of their decision to award a penalty on Tuesday night. 

The majority of pundits in the UK agree that it was a harsh decision to award a penalty against Inter in the dying minutes of their eventual defeat against Liverpool. 

“Did they deserve to get that penalty? Probably not, but the fans won’t care,” said former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live after full-time. 

Clarence Seedorf, analysing the game on Amazon Prime in the UK, added: “The defender should not do that, it wasn’t needed at all, but definitely a light decision.”

Even Jamie Carragher admitted that Liverpool were fortunate to be awarded the late spot kick: “I think I’d be very disappointed if this went against me or my team,” he said on CBS Sports Golazo on Tuesday night. 

“What I would say is, that I don’t think that’s a penalty, but if I was the Inter player or the manager, I’d say ‘what are you doing grabbing his shirt, giving the referee a decision to make?’ I don’t think it’s a penalty, but just don’t pull his shirt.  He’s got his back to goal, he’s going nowhere. So, he’s only got himself to blame there but I do think it was a little bit harsh.”