A contentious call during a match between Liverpool and Manchester City has led to an official explanation from the Premier League. The incident involved Manchester City defender Marc Guehi and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. While Liverpool's coach, Arne Slot, felt Guehi should have been shown a red card, the referee issued a yellow card, and the Premier League has since clarified the reasoning behind this decision.
The match, which ended with Manchester City winning 2-1, saw a pivotal moment in the second half when Guehi fouled Salah near the penalty box. This challenge, which Liverpool believed denied Salah a clear goal-scoring chance, sparked debate and frustration, particularly from coach Slot. The Premier League's statement aims to address the controversy surrounding the foul and the subsequent decision not to escalate it to a red card.
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Background of the Incident
The match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield was marked by a controversial decision in the second half. Marc Guehi, a defender for Manchester City, was involved in a challenge with Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. The foul occurred just outside the penalty area.
The Challenge: Guehi fouled Salah as the Liverpool player was in a position to potentially create a goal-scoring opportunity.
Referee's Initial Action: The referee, Craig Pawson, showed Guehi a yellow card for the offense.
Liverpool's Reaction: Liverpool's coaching staff, including head coach Arne Slot, strongly believed the foul warranted a red card, arguing it denied Salah a clear chance to score. Slot expressed significant frustration, stating that "If you follow the rulebook… and that is not a red card, then there is more of my frustration."
Premier League's Clarification: The Premier League has since issued a statement to explain the referee's decision. They indicated that the officials determined Guehi's defensive partner, Ruben Dias, was in a position to cover and could have intervened had Salah advanced, thus deeming it not a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Match Outcome: Manchester City went on to win the match 2-1.
Premier League's Official Statement and Rationale
The Premier League has provided a statement to explain why Marc Guehi was not sent off against Liverpool. The core of the explanation rests on the positioning of other defenders.
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The officials deemed his central defensive partner Ruben Dias… was in a position to cover.
The key factor for not issuing a red card was the presence and positioning of another defender, Ruben Dias, who was judged to be in a position to cover the potential goal-scoring opportunity.
This interpretation aligns with the rules regarding fouls that deny clear goal-scoring opportunities. For a red card to be issued in such a scenario, it typically requires the fouled player to be in an unopposed path to goal, with no other defenders capable of preventing the scoring chance.
Contrasting Viewpoints on the Foul
There are differing opinions on the severity of Marc Guehi's foul on Mohamed Salah and the referee's decision.
Liverpool's Stance
Arne Slot's Opinion: Liverpool's head coach, Arne Slot, was firm in his belief that the foul was a clear red card offense. He argued that Salah, given his history, would have scored the chance. Slot's frustration stemmed from what he perceived as a misapplication of the rules, particularly concerning fouls that prevent clear scoring opportunities.
Focus on Denying a Goal: The Liverpool camp emphasized that the foul directly prevented Salah from having a clear path to score, which is a primary criterion for a red card.
Pundit and Official Interpretation
Gary Neville's View: Pundit Gary Neville stated that the referee, Craig Pawson, made the correct decision in not awarding a straight red card. This suggests an agreement with the officials' on-field judgment.
Premier League's Explanation: As mentioned, the Premier League's statement supported the decision by highlighting Ruben Dias's covering position. This official explanation serves as the definitive interpretation from the league's officiating body.
Other Controversies in the Match
The match was not solely defined by the Guehi-Salah incident. Another significant event led to disciplinary action.
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Dominik Szoboszlai's Red Card: Liverpool's goalscorer, Dominik Szoboszlai, was shown a red card later in the game for a shirt-pull foul on Erling Haaland. This led to Szoboszlai serving a one-match ban.
Disallowed Goal: A late goal for Liverpool, scored by Rayan Cherki in the 100th minute, was disallowed. This was a consequence of the earlier foul by Szoboszlai, which resulted in a free kick awarded to Manchester City.
Impact on Liverpool: These late-game events contributed to Liverpool's 2-1 defeat, leaving them in a challenging position in the league standings.
Analysis of the "Clear Goal-Scoring Opportunity" Rule
The decision hinges on the interpretation of a "clear goal-scoring opportunity" (DOGSO). The Premier League's explanation suggests that the presence of a covering defender is paramount.
Key Criteria for DOGSO:
Distance to goal.
Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball.
Direction of play.
Number and position of defenders.
Application in this Case: The statement implies that Ruben Dias's positioning met the criteria for a covering defender, thereby negating the DOGSO element required for a red card.
Potential for Misinterpretation: While the rulebook provides guidelines, the subjective nature of assessing a player's position and likelihood of intervention can lead to disagreements, as seen with Arne Slot's reaction.
Sources
standard.co.uk: Premier League explain why Marc Guehi was not sent-off against Liverpool
Context: Reports on the Premier League's statement and Arne Slot's reaction to the foul.
liverpoolecho.co.uk: The reason Marc Guehi wasn't sent-off vs Liverpool confirmed
Context: Confirms the explanation for Guehi not being sent off and mentions Gary Neville's opinion.
Link: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-man-city-guehi-salah-33386305
sportsmole.co.uk: Liverpool 1-2 Man City: PGMOL explain Marc Guehi decision as Arne Slot slams "clear red card"
Context: Details Arne Slot's criticism and the PGMOL (Premier League's refereeing body) explanation. Also covers Szoboszlai's red card.
inkl.com: Why was Marc Guehi not sent-off against Liverpool? Premier League issue statement amid Arne Slot frustration
Context: Similar to the standard.co.uk report, focusing on the Premier League's statement and Slot's frustration.
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