Liverpool players’ honest reaction to penalty decision in Bournemouth defeat

Mohamed Salah smashed his penalty wide in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday after VAR adjudged that Adam Smith had handballed from Diogo Jota’s header.

Some of Liverpool’s players felt they were fortunate to be awarded a penalty in their defeat against Bournemouth, according to Adam Smith.

Liverpool lost 1-0 on the south coast in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off, with Philip Billing’s goal the difference between the two sides. But Jurgen Klopp’s side had a glorious chance to draw level in the second half when Bournemouth full-back Smith was penalised for a handball.

Referee John Brooks was advised by the VAR to go over to the pitchside monitor and he awarded a spot-kick, with Diogo Jota’s goalbound header hitting Smith’s left hand as he jumped for the ball. Bournemouth were let off when Salah smashed his effort wide of Neto’s post.

Bournemouth kept Liverpool at bay to hold on for the three points and Smith revealed what was said between players on the pitch around the incident.

“Even some of the Liverpool lads said it was a bit harsh. I’m jumping, I can’t see the ball – I don’t know how I’m meant to stop that,” he told BT Sport. “I jump with my hands, I think my arms are down, so maybe a little bit of justice in the end that they missed it. I was happy with that.”

Speaking on BT Sport, former Premier League referee Peter Walton said the officials had made the correct decision, with Smith’s hand preventing Jota’s header from going towards the goal. It did not matter that Smith had his back turned to the Liverpool attacker, because his hand was in an unnatural position.

Ex-Liverpool winger Steve McManaman agreed. “I understand his reasoning – when you’re jumping it’s impossible to jump with your hands by your side,” he added. “But it was going on target and it’s hit his left hand. It is a penalty. That’s the rules now.”