FIFA say ref Andy Madley should NOT have put Manchester United out of their Anfield misery by blowing up early.
Madley only allowed three minutes of second half stoppage time in the 7-0 mauling despite Liverpool scoring six and the teams making substitutions in five separate windows between them.
And while Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina understood the decision he said: “There should have been more time.
“I can understand that giving the right amount of additional time when it is 7-0 is difficult to understand in this specific match.
“But if the regulations of the competition say that goal difference is relevant for the ranking at the end, even one goal scored or not scored can make the difference.”
Prem chiefs will be ordered to ensure extra additional time is added in matches next season.
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But the World Cup-style approach, which saw a staggering 27 minutes added to England’s opener against Iran, does not have to be followed.
Collina explained: “Referees should add all the time for injuries, penalties and red cards, goal celebrations, substitutions and VAR checks.
“They should also add on some time for free-kicks, goal kicks and corners, although we are looking at getting nearer 60 minutes of actual playing time, not 90.”
United only trailed at the break to Cody Gakpo’s 43rd minute opener after an even first period.
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But once Liverpool went 3-0 up after 50 minutes it was only a question of how many more the home side would get.
Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag labelled his team’s capitulation as “unprofessional”.
Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah bagged doubles before sub Roberto Firmino got Liverpool’s seventh.
And chances were flowing so fast late on it’s a real possibility United would have suffered more if the game had been extended much longer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
