'Absolutely stunned' - Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on penalty decision in Liverpool draw at Brighton
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has supported Anthony Taylor's decision to not award Brighton a penalty during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
The Seagulls were left incensed after Kaoru Mitoma's goalbound effort deflected off the thigh of Virgil van Dijk before subsequently striking the left hand of the Dutchman. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was furious a spot-kick was not given and was shown a yellow card by Taylor for taking his protests too far.
Speaking after the game, the Italian doubled down on his belief his side should have been awarded a penalty. "In that situation, I think there was a clear penalty and I told the referee in a good way I think," he said.
Of the view De Zerbi's stance on the subject is wrong and that the correct on-field decision was made, Gallagher said on Sky Sports' 'Ref Watch': "The evidence is there for everyone to see. It clearly strikes his thigh, his arm is by his side, it bounces at a few feet and hits him, there's no doubt about that, but you would be absolutely stunned if a penalty was given for that."
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Liverpool were given a spot-kick of their own during the game at the Amex Stadium after Dominik Szoboszlai was pulled to the ground by Pascal Gross. Thanks to Mohamed Salah, the Reds were able to convert from 12 yards, though watched on as Gross avoided a red card despite denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
The ECHO understands VAR officials deemed this not to be a case of DOGSO due to Szoboszlai's direction of travel inside the penalty area, believing the Hungarian was moving away
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