George Harris
Jan 31, 2024 - 11:05

Referee Michael Oliver criticized by Thomas Tuchel for 'lack of bravery' in contentious Liverpool vs Chelsea penalty decision

"Chelsea legend Joe Cole accuses referee of bottling key decision during clash with league-leaders Liverpool at Anfield."

Chelsea legend Joe Cole has accused referee Paul Tierney of making a cowardly decision during Chelsea's match against Liverpool at Anfield. Early in the game, Conor Gallagher was seemingly fouled by Virgil van Dijk in the penalty area, but Tierney chose not to award a penalty, much to the frustration of Mauricio Pochettino and the Chelsea team.

Cole, while covering the match for TNT Sport, expressed his belief that it was a clear penalty, stating, "For me, that is a penalty. In front of the Kop in the first 10 minutes, I think the referee has not been brave there."

Further controversy arose when Chelsea's Ben Chilwell was booked for diving after minimal contact from Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate. Shortly after, Liverpool were awarded a penalty for a foul on Diogo Jota, but Darwin Nunez's effort hit the post.

Amidst these decisions, Liverpool's Conor Bradley scored his first goal for the club, putting the hosts 2-0 ahead. Chelsea struggled to keep up with Liverpool's pace and dominance in the first half.

Pochettino was visibly frustrated as his team failed to match Liverpool's tempo and midfield dominance. Despite the win for both Arsenal and Manchester City, Liverpool's victory solidified their position at the top of the table.

The match was a display of Liverpool's dominance, leaving Chelsea struggling to keep up. Alisson had little to do in goal as Liverpool controlled the game. The win was crucial for Liverpool to maintain their position at the top of the table.

The article also includes information about TNT Sports, which offers access to various sports events, including the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Serie A, boxing, UFC, WWE, and MLB for a monthly fee. Access to TNT Sports is available through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.