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      I played against England at World Cup then became David Beckham’s team-mate – now I want to be a Premier League referee

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      CHRIS BIRCHALL never made it to the Premier League as a player – but is eager to get there in retirement.The former LA Galaxy midfielder played alongside David Beckham during his MLS days. Former Port Vale and LA Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall is training to become a refCredit: Paul TongeThe midfielder played alongside England legend David Beckham in LACredit: GettyBirchall also faced England in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad and TobagoCredit: GettyAnd now he is retraining as a referee, all thanks to a special PGMOL initiative for former pros.Birchall is part of the ‘Player to Match Official’ programme, a joint venture between the PGMOL and the Players Association. The scheme aims to fast-track ex-players into officiating over a three-year period.Birchall, who played most of his club football for Port Vale, hung up his boots in 2017. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLNow 40, he believes the scheme is vital to bring through the next generation of referees. Birchall told Sky Sports: “If you were a professional who finished at 32, 33, there wouldn’t be an opportunity because you’d be 45 before you had the chance.”This is why this programme is so exciting because it opens doors to ex-players to come through into the game and use their experience to not be better referees.”But to try and be as good as they individually can, because there are some exceptional referees coming through who haven’t played the game.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”A lot of people say this is what the game’s been crying out for, but you don’t want to be the person to say ‘ex-players are going to become better refs’. “It’s just another string to the bow of officiating.”Former LA Galaxy star Birchall goes from playing with Beckham to being a refereeEx-pros including Coventry winger Carl Baker and Milwall midfielder Liam Trotter are also enrolled in the course. And Birchall has big ambitions – with a spot in the Premier League within his sights.He continued: “Sometimes, someone will ask you a question like, ‘Where do you want to be in three years?’ “I want to be in the Premier League. I don’t want to come across as arrogant, but the opportunity is there to be in the Premier League. “So, my goal within that three to four years is to be officiating in the Premier League.”What do David Beckham’s tattoos mean?HandsStarting with the hands, and David Beckham has the word “Love” inked across the top of his left hand, with a swallow on either side.This is joined by the numbers 723, a combination of the shirts he famously wore for Manchester United and later Real Madrid.On his little finger, he has the year he was married.Becks also has a small female-stick figure designed by his daughter Harper.The devoted husband has “Posh” tattooed on a finger as a nod to wife Victoria Beckham’s Spice Girls nickname.ArmsBecks has two sleeve tattoos on both his arms with the centrepieces paying tribute to his marriage to Victoria.The most famous of his body art comes in the shape of her name along the inside of his forearm, which is inked in Sanskrit.Both Posh and Becks have Hebrew tattoos, which they got to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary.The matching tatts translate to, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”.Meanwhile, Becks also has a separate rose inking on his left arm to mark the couple’s tenth anniversary.NeckOne of Beckham’s most famous tattoos is on his neck, which is a gothic style cross and wings.It is symbolic of to his religion and acts as a protective guardian of his son Romeo, whose name is tattooed just below the angel wings.Beckham also has the name of his daughter, Harper, on the side of his neck.This was later updated to include the words “Pretty Lady”, to mark her fourth birthday.BackBeckham’s back tattoos serve as tribute to his sons.He has angel wings at the top as a sign of protection for them.Becks has both his eldest on Brooklyn, and his youngest son Cruz’s names inked across his back.BodyBeckham has a large chest tattoo that is an image of himself as Jesus, with three cherubs representing his sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz.The footy ace also has a vertical tattoo down his left side in Chinese symbols – this translates as “Death and life have determined appointments”.Paying homage to his father, he has an inking of a ship at full mast – which is identical to the same one his dad has.Birchall spent much of his early career in England’s lower leagues, playing for Vale, Coventry and Brighton.His world was turned upside down in 2009 when he joined the Galaxy in Los Angeles, replacing Beckham on his debut.Speaking to SunSport last year, Birchall said: “David was great with me.”Although I played with him towards the end of his career, wow what a player. “He could pick you out with a pass from 40 yards.”There was banter between us as English guys. “He’d come into training every morning and say to me, ‘Hi, Mr Perfect’ and I was like, ‘If anyone should be called that it’s you!’”Before playing with David Beckham, Birchall played against him on the biggest stage of all.Though born in Stafford, he was called up by Trinidad and Tobago by virtue of his mum being born in the country’s capital Port of Spain.Playing with Man Utd legend Dwight Yorke, Birchall would score one of the most famous goals in the country’s history as he scored a long range equaliser in a home play-off against Bahrain.The Soca Warriors would then win 1-0 in the Middle East to earn a spot at the 2006 World Cup.And there, while playing club football for Port Vale, he took on Becks and England’s Golden Generation.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere, the Caribbean Islanders stubbornly held the Three Lions to a goalless stalemate until the 83rd minute where Peter Crouch netted a controversial opening goal.The England striker was seen pulling on defender Brent Sancho’s dreadlocks to head home before Steven Gerrard netted a second in stoppage time. 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      Premier League referee salaries revealed as officials are controversially blocked from boosting earnings abroad

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referees’ huge pay packets have been revealed – and show they are among the country’s top earners. Their salaries appear to reflect their growing status in the game and the increasing pressure they are under every week as billions watch worldwide.The salaries of Premier League referees has been revealedCredit: RexFigures provided by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb in a meeting of the 72 EFL clubs revealed what kind of money the Prem’s officials are pocketing, as reported by The Times.They showed that the average salary for a Premier League referee it between £170,000 and £180,000.While the top referees are earning around £250,000 per year.Officials are paid their salary at a base rate, which is then boosted by performance bonuses and match fees.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat base rate ranges between £72,000 and £148,000, and varies according to experience and seniority in the role.Senior officials, such as Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver, are likely to earn around £250,000 a year from their Premier League roles.While less-experienced refs, identified in ‘Select Group 1′, will earn closer to £125,000.When pension and national insurance contributions are factored in, it’s understood that the PGMOL averaged a total cost of £240,000 per referee. Most read in FootballBy comparison, the average salary for pilots and air traffic controllers is significantly less at £91,208.Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb revealed the figures in a meeting of the 72 EFL clubsCredit: PACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLyon manager Paulo Fonseca faces SEVEN-MATCH ban after squaring up to referee in incredible meltdownWhile chief executives (£81,328) , IT directors (£81,588) and specialist medical practitioners’ (£73,320) salaries are all dwarfed by the officials’ pay packets too.However, top city workers such as those in finance, insurance and lawyers can earn far more than the Prem’s referees.Officials can boost their earnings outside the Premier League too, with many of the top referees chosen to take charge of Uefa sanctioned games in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.While they can also officiate at Fifa-run events like the Club World Cup and the World Cup proper.A report last year claimed that referees in the Champions League are paid between £5,300 and £9,000 per game.And major tournaments like the World Cup have been reported to earn officials between £38,700 and £54,000 – before match bonuses are added.Outside of those organisations, Premier League officials will find it difficult to boost their incomes.That’s because the PGMOL have now effectively prevented officials from taking charge of matches in the Gulf states.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe decision came last year, after Michael Oliver, Darren England and Dan Cook officiated a match in the United Arab Emirates less than 48 hours before a shocking VAR mistake in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last season.Concerns were voiced around how that looked for the Premier League given Manchester City’s United Arab Emirates ownership, and Newcastle United’s links to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.Officials failed to realise that Luis Diaz was onside during a clash between Liverpool and Tottenham last season More

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      James McClean has furious bust-up with rival fan after angry rant at linesman earns Wrexham controversial penalty

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      JAMES McCLEAN had a furious bust-up with a Stockport fan and was slammed over his role in Wrexham’s controversial winner.The Irish winger’s rant at linesman Abbas Khan resulted in ref Simon Mather overturning his decision to award a corner in favour of a penalty.Jay Rodriguez scored the rebound from his penalty to fire Wrexham to a 1-0 win over StockportCredit: GettyJames McClean won the peanlty for Wrexham after heading the ball onto Ibou Touray’s hand in the boxCredit: XMcClean was adamant he had won a penalty after the referee initially awarded a cornerCredit: RexMcClean had leapt up for a header inside the area and nodded the ball onto the back of Stockport defender Ibou Touray’s raised hand.The ball made contact with Touray – but from point-blank range – and ref Mather awarded a corner. Video then showed McClean, 35, raging at Khan, berating the linesman for not giving a penalty.The lino then beckoned Mather over and, following a chat, the ref changed his decision.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWell over a minute had passed since the incident.Former Stoke star McClean was furious after an initial decision to award a corner, waving his arms in the air and berating the linesman for not giving a penalty.That decision left Stockport fans seething, taking to social media to vent after conceding in a huge promotion fight in League One.One wrote: “Great refereeing by James McClean”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile another added: “Didn’t create nearly enough to warrant getting anything. Doesn’t help that James McClean was officiating the game!”A third fumed: “How is that a pen?!”Wrexham’s James McClean involved in car crash on way to training ahead of League One table-topping clash with BirminghamThe Wrexham star furiously questioned the decisionCredit: RexAnd another jokingly replied: “It is when McClean is officiating”.Other posts accused McClean of “reffing” the game and “bullying”. Jay Rodriguez took the 29th-minute spot-kick and saw it saved by Stockport keeper Corey Addai.But the former Premier League striker tucked away the rebound to earn a 1-0 win in the League One promotion clash.McClean was then involved in a heated row with a fan as he made his way down the Racecourse Ground tunnel at half-time before the supporter was led away by police.SunSport understands that the supporter in question has alleged that McClean attacked him.However, both Wrexham and the Police have reviewed CCTV and there appears to be no evidence of the incident happening and McClean has not been arrested.Stockport manager Dave Challinor bit his tongue when it came to the decision.”I am not going to get myself in trouble by saying what I really believe”, he said.”It has never been a penalty. There were arguments for a potential penalty on the decision before with Sam Smith but that was more of a penalty than the one that was given.”And for a linesman to get involved on the far side of the pitch and do nothing else in the game cost us a point.”It flipped the momentum in the first half and was another poor decision.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe League One clash was certainly feisty with 10 yellow cards and one red card dished out by the referee over the course of 90 minutes.Wrexham’s victory sends the Red Dragons three points clear of third-placed Wycombe who have a game in hand and also takes them nine clear of the Hatters in fifth.James McClean had an interaction with the fans as he was leaving the pitchCredit: GettyMcClean gestured towards the crowdCredit: Getty More

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      ‘My daughter thought I was a referee’ says England legend Ashley Cole as he’s inducted into football Hall of Fame

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      ASHLEY COLE was an Arsenal Invincible, a European champion at Chelsea, a record seven-time FA Cup winner and a member of England’s exclusive 100 Club, once recognised as the best left-back on the planet. But ask him to reflect on that glorious career, after being inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, and Cole highlights his regret at the “silly bitterness” which overshadowed a large part of his career.Ashley Cole was inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of FameCredit: PAEngland Under-21 assistant boss Cole won major awards with Arsenal and ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – GettyCole, now a well-respected assistant to England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley, insists he is a very different person now to the hot-headed player who left Arsenal under a cloud after being tapped up by Chelsea.Back then he infamously wrote in his autobiography that he “almost swerved off the road” when being informed that Arsenal were offering “only £55,000 a week”.And Cole, 44, admits: “I’ve grown up since then, from making silly mistakes, silly words, bitter words, feuds – I’m so grown and so over that now.“I respect the both clubs I was at, they gave me a lot, they gave me opportunities.Read More on Arsenal “There isn’t one memory that sticks out, I’ve won Premier Leagues, Champions League, created history in the FA Cup, I look back and say, ‘Yeah you’ve done well and they were your rewards’.“And competing for my country at World Cups and Euros was really important to me.”Cole’s career was one of English football’s finest but after his tumultuous high-profile marriage to pop star Cheryl Tweedy and the controversy over his move to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, he shied away from speaking to the media.As a result he is often under-appreciated and it turns out that even extends to his own home.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeCole, who won 107 England caps, said: “I’ve got two young kids who are always asking me, ‘Was I a good player?’ My daughter thought I was a referee!“Getting this award did open my eyes as to what an achievement it was to get to the level I got to.Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?“Working with these young [England Under-21] lads, I can see a lot of me in them. They are a very humble, hard-working group. It’s inspirational for me to watch these players grow and hopefully get into the senior team.“I look back at the journey from where I was as a 14, 15, 16-year-old, all the hard work and sacrifice. Then to make my debut for my boyhood club [Arsenal] and to win trophies and to grow as a player is something I won’t take lightly.“I really enjoyed the journey. There’s a message for the kids – keep working hard on the training pitch, keep persevering and hopefully you have a career like me.”Cole has urged patience with Arsenal’s teenage duo, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.I’ve grown up since then, from making silly mistakes, silly words, bitter words, feuds – I’m so grown and so over that now.Ashley ColeLeft-back MLS has gone straight into the England senior squad, while Nwaneri will make his Under-21 debut away to France under Carsley and Cole on his 18th birthday on Friday.Cole said: “I’ve seen Myles in the last year and a half. I’ve seen it with Ethan too. When you have so much talent, there is sometimes an urge to play them and do they sometimes fall short? These two haven’t.“Now he [Lewis-Skelly] is in the seniors, he has just got to continue to play well for Arsenal and continue to get himself in the senior squad.“But you’ve got to be careful with these young players. They are special and precious so you have to take your time sometimes.”After winning the last Under-21 Euros two years ago, Cole believes England are capable of retaining their crown in Slovakia this summer.Cole said: “That group two years ago, they had real pride in playing for the Three Lions, working for the badge.I’ve got two young kids who are always asking me, ‘Was I a good player?’ My daughter thought I was a referee!Ashley Cole“They were a great bunch and what they did in the last Euros showed a great team spirit and belief.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve told this group that they have left a legacy for you and we want to continue that and hopefully do well in the Euros and leave a legacy for the next generation.“Every day I watch them train, I see the hunger and desire and if we don’t win the Euros, I know they will have given everything.” More

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      Dele Alli shown red card just 10 MINUTES into first game for two years as even rival Kyle Walker pleads with referee

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      DELE ALLI was sent off just TEN MINUTES into his first appearance in over two years.The former England midfielder signed for Italian club Como in January on a free transfer.Dele Alli made his Como debut on Saturday night but was sent for an early bathCredit: GettySubstitute Alli’s yellow card was controversially upgraded to a red by the refereeThe ex-England midfielder caught Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the back of the legCredit: GettyPlayers from both teams pleaded for the decision to be overturnedCredit: ReutersEven Alli’s ex-Spurs and England team-mate Kyle Walker tried to talk the referee roundCredit: XAlli last played in the Turkish Super Lig for Besiktas and has penned an 18-month deal with the Serie A side. The 28-year-old came off the bench on Saturday against AC Milan, his first appearance since February 2023. But the cameo quickly turned into a nightmare for the ex-Tottenham ace.Alli was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the closing stages at the San Siro. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe appeared to rake his studs down the back of the former Chelsea man’s leg.Referee Matteo Marchetti was called to the monitor after an intervention from VAR.After studying the tackle for several minutes, Marchetti decided to upgrade Alli’s yellow card to a red. The decision sparked fury on the Como bench, with head coach Cesc Fabregas seeing red himself shortly afterwards.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd even Milan’s Kyle Walker – a former England and Spurs team-mate of Alli – was seen begging with the ref not to send the 28-year-old off.One fan agreed on X: “That’s a yellow. The force is so little. Slow motion makes it look 10x harder.”Dele Alli hailed for opening up on mental health battles as Everton star joins Monday Night Football panelAnother said: “Even Walker was saying to not give him a red for it. That’s actually heartbreaking.”While a third added: “Feel for Dele, man has gone through so much s**t and now this.”Alli broke through as a teenager at MK Dons before earning a big-money move to Tottenham in 2015. He has since gone on to earn 37 England caps, but his career has taken a nosedive over the past five years.Dele’s career in numbersDELE ALLI has been handed a career lifeline by Como – here’s his career path up until this point.2012-15 MK Dons (88 appearances, 24 goals)2015-22 Tottenham (269 appearances, 67 goals)2022-24 Everton (13 appearances, 0 goals)2022-23 Besiktas loan (15 appearances, 3 goals)2025-present Como (1 appearance, 0 goals)International career2012-13 England U17 (9 appearances, 0 goals)2014 England U18 (2 appearances, 0 goals)2014 England U19 (4 appearances, 0 goals)2015 England U21 (2 appearances, 0 goals)2015-2019 England (37 caps, 3 goals)Alli spent an unhappy three years at Everton, joining Besiktas on loan in 2023.His last game before Como’s clash in Milan was a 0-0 draw with Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on February 26, 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlli was praised for a groundbreaking interview with Manchester United legend Gary Neville later that year. The midfielder opened up on his mental health struggles, opening up on childhood trauma including being abused and selling drugs. More

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      Arsenal wall was 11.2 yards back for stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick as furious fans slam referee Anthony Taylor

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      ARSENAL fans have been left raging after finding out their wall was marched too far back for Bruno Fernandes’ stunning free-kick.Manchester United broke the deadlock in the 1-1 draw on the stroke of half-time via an incredible set-piece strike from their captain.Arsenal’s wall was marched further back than ten yardsGunners fans felt the extra 1.2 yards made all the differenceBruno Fernandes’ goal broke the deadlock just before half-timeCredit: APThe free-kick was won by Alejandro Garnacho after he was fouled on the edge of the box by Leandro Trossard.Fernandes stood over the ball as referee Anthony Taylor walked Arsenal’s rearguard backwards.Despite man mountains in Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Gabriel and Declan Rice forming the line, United’s talisman was still able to generate enough power and dip to beat the jumping wall and David Raya in goal.But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Arsenal’s five-man wall looked a long way from where the ball was placed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGary Neville spotted it immediately, saying on commentary: “The wall looks a fair way back. Looks like it’s giving him a chance. It looks a mile back.”Usually, you see the wall, particularly a big wall like that, it always looks really difficult to get it up and over.”There just seemed to be so much space, so much space that he didn’t even have to go that high up into the net.”Sky Sports later confirmed that the wall was in fact 11.2 yards away – instead of the regulated ten.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNeville added after the game that you could tell “something was wrong” as the ball went in only “half way up the net”. Arsenal fans were left fuming, with one saying: “If Arsenal were a yard closer to the Bruno free-kick, its hits the wall.”Thousands of Man Utd fans launch furious protest march at way club is ‘slowly dying before our eyes’Another added: “The extra 1.2 yards gave the ball enough space to get up and over the wall.”A third commented: “There’s a lot that was our fault about going behind, but the wall being over a metre too far back is unbelievably poor refereeing.”But United fans hit back, saying: “Arsenal fans complaining about how far away the wall was lined up might be a new low.”More responded: “You find any excuse.”On the free-kick, Christian Eriksen revealed: “Happy that the wall was about 15 metres away, so it was perfect for him to put it over.”I think I saw it early before the kick. It was the same when they had it in the second-half, obviously we were a bit angry with the ref for putting us so far back.”Rather than take issue with the wall, Gunners hero and pundit Paul Merson instead slammed Raya’s positioning, which led to him “getting nowhere near it”.Jamie Redknapp praised Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro for pushing Thomas Partey into the keeper’s eyeline as Fernandes ran up to the ball.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe pundit also added that he was surprised Arsenal’s wall stayed behind the magic spray line and did not edge forward.If Raya was to blame, he later made amends with stunning saves to deny Noussair Mazraoui and a late Fernandes chance to win it.Arsenal were unhappy with ref Anthony Taylor over the wall’s positionCredit: RexFernandes’ effort had the perfect balance of accuracy, power and dipCredit: Getty More

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      Mo Salah ‘tries to stop Liverpool making a substitution over fear of rule breach as referee is forced to intervene’

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      MOHAMED SALAH had to be reassured that his team weren’t about to break the rules in the late stages of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.Salah was spotted doing everything he could to stop Jarrell Quansah from being substituted on in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Egyptian fearing Liverpool were about go over their quota of substitutes.Mohamed Salah tried to stop Liverpool from making a sixth substitution during their win over SouthamptonCredit: EPAThe Reds had already made five changes – the usual limit in a Premier League match – before Quansah was warming up on the touchline.And fearing punishment for going over their allotted amount, Salah was “desperately” trying to stop the sixth sub of the match in the 89th minute.That was until referee Lewis Smith went over to explain that a little-known rule was in play and Liverpool were allowed to make a sixth switch.A head injury to Armel Bella-Kotchap in the first half had led to Southampton leaning on a concussion substitution to replace the German with Jan Bednarek.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLConcussion protocol rules enforce that if a team uses a concussion substitute it does not count towards their allocation of tactical switches.As a result, the opposition team are granted a sixth change too – meaning Liverpool’s decision to bring on Quansah was perfectly legal.Fans online were all for Salah’s attempts to stop the substitution, telling that it was an example of just how much he wants to win the league.One wrote: “Mo was trying to prevent it from happening in case we get docked points. He’s really making sure we win the league”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEven if Liverpool had gone over their quota it is very unlikely they would have been handed any kind of points deduction for the blunder.IFAB rules state that any team trying to exceed the permitted number of subs “must be prevented by the referee”.Liverpool manager Arne Slot says his team were ‘lucky’ to beat PSG Salah’s influence on the game didn’t stop at trying to prevent tactical errors.The Premier League’s leading goalscorer added two more to his tally as he scored twice from the penalty spot in the 3-1 win.Both penalties came after Darwin Nunez had levelled for the Merseyside outfit following a Will Smallbone opener for the Saints.Liverpool’s victory means they are now an astonishing 16 points clear at the top of the table, with closest rivals Arsenal travelling to face Manchester United this afternoon. More

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      Arne Slot salutes controversial hero Darwin Nunez as Liverpool ace escapes red card to lead comeback against Southampton

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      ARNE SLOT saluted his controversial hero Darwin Nunez — as Liverpool stormed SIXTEEN points clear at the top of the Prem.The pair had a bitter fallout last month when Kop boss Slot accused the £64million striker of a lazy attitude following his horror open-goal miss against Aston Villa.Darwin Nunez scored and won a penalty versus SouthamptonCredit: GettyNunez was perhaps fortunate not to be red carded for wild lunge on Kyle Walker-PetersCredit: Sky SportsVAR decided not to give him a red cardCredit: RexBut after Nunez escaped a red card for kicking Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, he turned the game in four second-half minutes by levelling and winning a penalty from which Mo Salah put them ahead.And Slot declared: “In the second-half, he showed the workrate that he can bring to the team.”The Dutch boss wildly celebrated in the stands amid his two-match ban for an X-rated rant at ref Michael Oliver as his Reds profited from TWO penalty awards.First, rookie ref Lewis Smith adjudged Saints’ scorer Will Smallbone had fouled Nunez, then VAR Matt Donohue ruled Yukinari Sugawara handled.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut SunSport’s ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey insisted Nunez was lucky not to be sent off for scything down Walker-Peters.VAR did look at the incident – and backed Smith’s decision to only give him a yellow card.Yet Halsey said: “Nunez deliberately kicked an opponent when there was no chance of getting the ball. It was violent conduct.“On another day, with another referee, it would have been a red.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBBC pundit Chris Sutton added: “It was such a reckless, daft challenge. Liverpool were lucky to have 11 on the pitch.”Salah’s two pens took his Liverpool goals tally to 243 — and he sits third in their all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285). ‘The miss I can accept, but what is harder to accept…’ Arne Slot slams ‘behaviour’ of Liverpool star Darwin NunezBut superstar Salah revealed Slot got the hairdryer out at half-time.The Egyptian said: “It was a bit of frustration. His head was going for us. We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don’t think we played well.“But if you want to win the title, you have to win games like that.”Slot made a triple half-time substitution to inspire their comeback — bringing on Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Andy Robertson.Arne Slot praised Nunez’s workrate after he changed the gameCredit: GettyNunez missed an open goal against Villa last month and was slammed by Slot for his attitudeThe Reds chief said: “I had to make hard calls to create a certain anger with the players.“Our energy levels were far, far, far too low.“The three who came on did really well. But I saw a different attitude from the other eight, too.”Liverpool are 16 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand and visit Manchester United.But Southampton boss Ivan Juric was fuming over both penalty decisions.The Croat blasted: “The first, contact is almost nothing. This just cannot be a penalty — ever.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m sorry it happened because then it was 1-1 and it changed the match.“The second one, maybe it was a handball, but he was pushed. My guys fought until the end.” More