Dermot Gallagher comes to defence of Dominik Szoboszlai following Ian Wright goal admission
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Dominik Szoboszlai’s first goal for Liverpool against Aston Villa was a perfectly legitimate one.
Szoboszlai scored after just three minutes at Anfield, firing past Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez after Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner found him in space on the edge of the box. The goal, however, was checked by VAR.
The check came after replays showed Mohamed Salah standing in front of Martinez in an offside position. But following the check, the goal was given.
Unai Emery and his coaching staff were left less than impressed on the touchline by the call to allow the goal, while Ian Wright claimed PGMOL chief Howard Webb would be forced to issue an apology to Villa over the decision.
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However, speaking on Ref Watch on Monday morning, Gallagher explained why it was the right call to allow the goal to be given.
He said: "Can the goalkeeper see the shot? Yes, I think he can. Does Salah move towards the ball, or is he near or close to the ball? No.
"They feel the shot is going into the far corner and the goalkeeper can't save the shot. This is the tactic they've used all season to interpret that law, and it was evident earlier in the season as we saw against Wolves and Brighton when [Pervis] Estupinan scored, [Danny] Welbeck was in an offside position, same thing happened, goal given.
"It's how they interpret the law, it's what they work to. The law said he has to impact the outcome of that decision and he has no impact, Salah, he's not close enough to the ball.
"He's far enough away from the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper has enough time to
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