“Don’t think the referee wanted to give it” – Liverpool star was lucky & Emre’s handball was a penalty says Match of the Day pundit
Liverpool returned to winning ways over the weekend following their 3-2 victory over Leicester City at the King Power stadium.
However, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the Reds were fortunate on the day.
Keown has stated that Simon Mignolet should have given a red card for his tackle on Jamie Vardy. The former England international also believes Emre Can handled the ball in the box.
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“Mignolet was lucky to stay on the pitch,” Keown said on Match of the Day.
“There’s a bit of a brain freeze. There’s a hesitation from him when the ball’s on the ground.
“We’re almost ring-fencing the goalkeeper because anywhere else on the pitch he gets sent off.
“Yes, he was trying to play it but he’s taking Vardy completely out and maybe lucky to stay on the pitch.
“Shortly after he missed that penalty with Can… There’s a movement towards the ball and again it should have been a penalty.
“But it came so quickly after the miss I don’t think the referee wanted to give it.”
Can played 74 minutes on Saturday before being replaced by James Milner.
The 23-year-old’s Liverpool future is however still cast in doubt. Can has under ten months remaining on his contract with the Merseyside based club.
Liverpool moved up into fifth spot in the Premier League following their win over Leicester City.
The Reds travel to Russia next week to take on Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Champions League.
