Micah Richards shares verdict on two key decisions in West Brom v Liverpool
Micah Richards believes Mike Dean cost West Brom a result on Sunday due to a poor decision that led to Liverpool’s first goal.
The referee paused play in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser because Fabinho ran into the back of him – rules stipulate that play must only be stopped if a ball strikes the ref.
As a result, the Reds were able to regain possession and seconds later Sam Johnstone was fishing the ball out of the net.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Richards said, “It’s a massive mistake. Mike Dean is a good ref but he’s made an absolute clanger here.
“And it’s cost them, yes West Brom have got nothing to play for but they’re playing for pride and it’s cost them.
“It’s just disappointing.”
Match of the Day then switched focus to another big talking point – the decision to rule out Kyle Bartley’s second-half strike, with Matt Phillips deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper in an offside position.
Richards backed the officials with that decision, adding, “It’s harsh, it’s harsh for West Brom to take but I believe it’s the right decision.
“Phillips is just in the line of sight of Alisson, and yes he’s probably not going to get it anyway but the rules state that if he is in the line of sight of the keeper then it’s not a goal.
“So that is the right decision.”
No luck on our side
It is fair to say that nothing went our way on Sunday and Sam Allardyce will probably be a bit upset when reflecting on the game.
Richards says rules are rules when it comes to disallowing our second but if that is the case then the rulebook needs changing.
The pundit admitted it himself – Alisson was never going to stop Bartley’s shot, so it really did not matter that Phillips was standing near him.
We were denied a goal and should have been defending a lead when Alisson scored in the dying seconds.
That goal summed up our day and our lack of luck, with the header also coming beyond the five minutes of additional time.
The less said about Dean stopping player the better. We all know how ridiculous that was but few will care because we are already down.
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