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“I’m surprised” – Gary Lineker not happy with key Leeds United v Liverpool flashpoint

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Leeds United fell to a heavy 6-1 defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday night, and they were set on their way to defeat by a very controversial goal from Cody Gakpo.

Leeds’ problems at the moment run far deeper than the impact of Craig Pawson or any referee this season, with the calamitous midfield and defence causing irreparable damage during the last two games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

However, it doesn’t help when turning points in games are off the back of a terrible decision, seeing Leeds’ collapse stem from the incorrect decision.

Should Gakpo’s goal have stood?

Something that was absolutely inevitable in hindsight, Cody Gakpo opened the scoring following a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the goal only came as the Reds right-back intercepted a Junior Firpo pass with his elbow.

In fact, the Liverpool man made a very obvious move with his arm towards the ball in order to block it and set up the attack, playing a one-two with Mo Salah before crossing to an unmarked Gakpo:

From thereon, Liverpool never looked back as they scored a further five goals to run out rampant 6-1 winners, with Alexander-Arnold registering another assist late in the game.

What does Lineker think?

The handball was seemingly not given here due to the fact that is was not deemed to be a deliberate action by the Liverpool man, despite movement towards the ball to block it.

Not only that, but it was potentially too far back in the build-up to technically ‘impact’ the goal, based on Premier League ruling.

However, Gary Lineker believes it should have been disallowed, as he wrote this on Twitter:

Will Leeds stay up?

Yes

Yes

No

No

It’s handball, and it’s absolutely blatant.

However, to blame referees for that result would be completely unjust when we played so badly, and to be annoyed at refereeing decisions is just wasted energy when they get major things wrong every week with no accountability or sign of improvement.

Pawson had a very poor game, allowing Liverpool a lot of 50-50 decisions while running the game at their pace when they wanted to, but Leeds as a side did their best to play into the Reds’ hands too, lazily chasing loose balls, weak in challenges, and showing no quality in possession.

There’s little point chasing up decisions like this from the referees, though, as it’s a lost cause – especially when five other goals go in the net too.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.