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Liverpool Echo

Diogo Jota penalty decision explained after Mike Dean theory and Alan Shearer fury

Diogo Jota was fouled by Martin Dubravka in the latter stages of Liverpool's 4-2 win over Newcastle United

Diogo Jota was brought down by Martin Dubravka during Liverpool vs Newcastle United.
Diogo Jota was brought down by Martin Dubravka during Liverpool vs Newcastle United.(Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Mike Dean has defended Anthony Taylor's decision to award Liverpool a penalty following Martin Dubravka's challenge on Diogo Jota.

The Reds forward powered through on goal after an incisive pass from Alexis Mac Allister, as Jota tried to round the Slovakian goalkeeper, he went down under the challenge with Taylor pointing to the spot.


Mohamed Salah stepped up and sent Dubravka the wrong way, atoning for his first-half miss, to round off the scoring in a 4-2 win for Liverpool.


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Ian Wright and Alan Shearer were among the ex-professionals to speak out against the on-field decision to award a penalty. Shearer, Newcastle United's all-time record goalscorer launched an x-rated rant at the decision, labelling it as "f******* embarrassing."

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Former Premier League referee Dean was alongside Jamie Carragher and Peter Drury in the commentary box for the triumph and he defended Taylor's decision.

"I think we’ve heard Stuart Attwell just then on VAR, well we have anyway, there’s clear contact by the left elbow of Dubravka on the foot of Jota," the 55-year-old said. "So, once he’s given the penalty it is hard to overturn."

Throughout the contest, Dubravka was the busier of the two goalkeepers as Liverpool smashed the Premier League record for expected goals after 34 attempts on the Magpies goal.


The 34-year-old spoke openly about the decision and admitted that he did make contact but there is "no point" arguing with VAR.

He said: "It is a frustration because he's a clever guy," he told NUFC TV. "I tried to pull my arms and not catch him. I felt the contact but I don't know what else I should do.

"In the end it was a penalty, so there's no point in arguing with them. With the VAR... I don't know what to say. I tried to save another penalty [from Salah] but it was just a gamble."

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The ECHO understands that the video assistant referee checked and cleared the on-field decision as there was contact and it wasn't deemed a clear and obvious error.

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