Keith Hackett stunned by Darwin Nunez after red card escape for Liverpool
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Darwin Nunez was definitely “lucky” not to be sent off after his match-winning brace for Liverpool against Brentford, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the referee’s viewing position of a tackle may have saved the striker from a second yellow card.
It has been a challenging season for Nunez at times, but he came up good for Arne Slot’s side at the G-Tech Stadium to seal three points against the Bees on Saturday (18 January).
The Liverpool man was however perhaps fortunate not to suffer another setback moments later following a rash challenge, with Hackett amazed by his rash behaviour.
Liverpool hero could have had two goals and two yellows in stoppage time at Brentford
As the clock hit 90 minutes at Brentford on Saturday, it looks as though the Anfield club were set to drop two valuable points in the Premier League title race with the score locked at 0-0.
Nunez however, then stepped up to fire in two stoppage time goals to claim a vital win for his side that keeps them in control at the top of the standings.
The Uruguay international was booked after taking his top off while celebrating the first of his goals, meaning he may have ought to have seen red moments later.
After he had scored the second of his goals, the striker then mis-timed a challenge inside the Brentford area on Nathan Collins, with his studs landing on the ankle of the Bees defender.
Referee Andy Madley did not give the Liverpool striker a second yellow for the tackle, although Hackett believes he perhaps should have done.
When asked by Football Insider if Nunez should have been shown a second yellow and red card for his challenge, the former referee said:
“I think that was avoidable so yes. A lot depends on viewing angles. Of course the difficulty here is that VAR can’t come in on yellow card challenges.
“So it’s down to the viewing angle that the referee’s got. He’s seen that as ok but I think Nunez is fortunate, could easily have had a second yellow. If he wasn’t on a yellow he would have got one I would suggest for sure.
“What amazes about these things is I can’t understand why players who receive a yellow card don’t check what they’re doing going forward.
“It’s the sort where you’d think ‘well I’ve got a yellow card’ but they forget it continue with the game with challenges were they’re going to get a second yellow. He got away with one. No question.”
Following that win and Arsenal’s draw at home to Aston Villa, Liverpool have now restored their six points lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Nunez meanwhile, has taken his individual tally to six goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for Arne Slot’s side this season thanks to that brace at Brentford (Transfermarkt).
In other news, Liverpool and Man United are in a race to sign this Premier League star.
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The post Keith Hackett stunned by Darwin Nunez after red card escape for Liverpool appeared first on Football Insider.
