Exclusive: Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on Livermore incident in West Brom v Forest
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has defended referee Keith Stroud for his decision to not send off Jake Livermore in West Brom’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest last week.
In the first half of the four-goal stalemate at The Hawthorns, many thought that Livermore, 30, was lucky to avoid a red card for a robust challenge on Forest’s Yuri Ribeiro.
Livermore’s studs made contact with Ribeiro’s shin before the Baggies captain gave the Forest player an earful while he was on the ground in pain.
A lot has been made of the officials’ performances at The Hawthorns last Saturday but Phillips has claimed Stroud’s decision to keep all the players on the pitch was the correct one.
When asked if he thought Livermore should have been sent off, Phillips told West Brom News: “No, not really.
“I’ve seen them challenges get a red card and I think the referee’s being sensible. He knows it’s a high-octane, high-energy game and unless it’s a stonewall red card, I would say the referee has to use a bit of common sense.
“It’s a big game and it’s about keeping 11 players on the pitch for both sides. Let’s be talking about the football at the end of it and not refereeing decisions.”
Unfortunately, more has been said about the referee’s performance than anything else after West Brom’s three-match winning streak came to an end at the hands of Forest.
The away side felt as though they should have been awarded a penalty on top of Livermore’s possible red card while there also could have been a foul in the build-up to Albion’s second goal.
West Brom fans were also aggrieved by the officials as in the dying moments they had a goal ruled out for offside, even though it did not seem as though Kyle Bartley had any impact on play as Callum Robinson’s shot crossed the line.
In other West Brom news, Chris Brunt has shared some thoughts on his future.