- Crystal Palace lose to Liverpool
- Daniel Munoz scored controversial goal
- Mike Dean says it was rightfully given
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has explained why Daniel Munoz’s goal stood in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool. The Eagles may have been beaten but they made sure to leave Anfield in controversy.
Munoz chipped the ball into an empty net in the 71st minute after Reds goalkeeper Freddie Woodman went down injured. Referee Andy Madley didn’t pause play due to the injury, and as a result, the Colombian decided to strike at the goal.
This resulted in outrage from the hosts and Arne Slot was perplexed on the touchline. His players protested to Madley, and the Kop heavily booed Munoz every time he got on the ball.
‘It Can’t Not’ – Dean on Munoz Goal
Palace were beaten anyway courtesy of goals from Alexander Isak, Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz. But they are still outraged by Munoz’s goal that made it 2-1 at the time.
Dean has given his verdict while speaking on Sky Sports and he feels the goal had to be given. He said:
“It can’t not be a goal. What do you do? He’s made a save, he’s spoken to the player, and he’s just dinked the keeper straight away. What doesn’t help is that even though Woodman is injured, he gets up to try and stop the ball anyway and then he goes down again. It’s a goal.”
Munoz was vilified in the aftermath of his goal for Liverpool, clearly feeling he should have put the ball out. But Woodman tried getting back to his feet, and he eventually continued playing.
Slot will undoubtedly have his grievances, but it was the right decision, not just from Madley but Munoz too. It happened so quickly that it was unlike playing the ball at the back and waiting to see if the player was okay.
Liverpool Fan Throws Ball at Munoz
The Anfield faithful were furious with Munoz and didn’t just let him know it through constant boos and jeers. When the Colombian went to take a throw-in minutes later, a fan behind him threw the ball at his head.
The Palace man laughed it off and play eventually continued but it spoke volumes of the anger amongst home supporters. There will be a long debate about Munoz’s decision to still chip the ball into the net despite Woodman’s injury.
Oliver Glasner probably won’t be too focused on that but rather his side’s defeat. It means European qualification via the league is now all but ruled out.
