LIVERPOOL match-winner Sadio Mane admitted he DID push Norwich defender Christoph Zimmermann in the lead up to his goal.
The Senegalese star climbed off the bench to score the only goal of the game as Jurgen Klopp’s side moved TWENTY-FIVE points clear at the top of the Premier League.
This ‘little push’ from Sadio Mane on Christoph Zimmermann helped give him an advantage – and then smash the winner homeCredit: Reuters
But it was not without controversy.
As Jordan Henderson’s ball sailed into the Canaries’ box, Mane appeared to give the Norwich defender a shove to gain an advantage.
The 27-year-old then controlled and expertly smashed past Tim Krul in the Norwich goal to seal the three points.
Mane was asked if it was a foul by Sky Sports after the game.
He answered: “I don’t think so. A little push is normal in football.”
VAR did check for a foul, but the goal was allowed to stand.
Football fans on social media were quick to suggest that Klopp’s side look to have got away with one with the goal.
Misbah Ahmed wrote on Twitter: “Clear push from Mane but LiVARpool.”
Thomas Wells wrote that it was “a clear push” while Salman Mallu posted that it was “different rules for Liverpool”.
James Tuck wrote that “it was clear and obvious” while Juan Batista poked fun at the technology by posting “VAR at its finest”.
Earlier this month Liverpool scraped into the FA Cup fifth round thanks to ANOTHER marginal and controversial VAR call.
Shaun Whalley thought he had headed League One Shrewsbury in front but the video ref ruled out his “goal” — apparently judging Scott Golbourne’s HEEL to be offside much earlier in the move.
In December fans were left stunned when Liverpool’s opening goal against Wolves was allowed to stand – despite Virgil van Dijk clearly handling the ball in the build-up.
Mane was again the match-winner that time as his striker sealed a 1-0 win at Anfield.
And in November the Reds were again on the right end of a VAR decision as Crystal Palace saw an opening goal chalked off.
The Eagles thought they had stunned the league leaders on the stroke of half-time after James Tomkins nodded home from close range.
But forward Jordan Ayew was adjudged to have pushed defender Dejan Lovren – meaning the home side’s dominant half was not rewarded.
Fans online fumed with the decision, insisting ‘lucky’ Liverpool were saved again.
Liverpool won that 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Defending champions Manchester City also felt harshly done by in their game against Liverpool earlier that month.
City saw a penalty shout turned down after a cross ricocheted onto Trent Alexander-Arnold’s outstretched arm.
But play was waved on and Liverpool went down the other end to open the lead.
After the game went to 3-1, again a handball claim on right-back Alexander-Arnold was turned down ruling out City’s chance to pull another back from the spot.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
