'I'd go down' - Bournemouth star makes Cody Gakpo penalty claim after Liverpool controversy

Cody Gakpo won a penalty for Liverpool in the first half of their 2-0 win over Bournemouth

Bournemouth's David Brooks has defended Liverpool's controversial penalty decision, admitting he would have done the same as Cody Gakpo. The Cherries winger doesn't blame referee Darren England for awarding the spot-kick after Gakpo was challenged by Lewis Cook.

Brooks stated: "I think obviously you can stand there and blame the referee. I don't think it was the referee's fault. I think it is a penalty, it is harsh on Lew [Cook]."

He added: "If I was Gakpo in that position I'd go down so yes, I think it's one of them. I think we created the better chances from what I can remember. On another day, if mine's onside then it's 1-1 and the game's back on."

Despite Bournemouth having already beaten Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at home this season, Brooks believes Liverpool were superior. He said: "I think they were probably the best ones we've played here. I think we can hold our heads high."

"I think we played extremely well and on another day I generally think we could have beaten them. So it's fine margins and Mo Salah is obviously a world-class player.", reports the Mirror.

However, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola disagreed with the penalty decision, feeling his team were hard done by.

He commented: "It's probably a slight touch. I haven't seen the play but with it looks like he trips after the slight touch. But I would just say Evanilson against Brentford, exactly the same play."

"I would say even that one is more clear. So, I accept. You call that one, you call this one, perfect. You don't call that one, you don't call this one, perfect. But you don't call one and you call the other, then I have to complain."

Iraola expressed his exasperation during the tense moments of the match by briefly storming down the tunnel, only to swiftly return to his seat. Reflecting on the overall performance in England, he said: "When you ask me a lot about the referee, I think in this kind of level of game I think the players are the ones that receive all the comments, all the appreciation, all the value what they've done for from Liverpool, from Bournemouth and that's what I'm going to try to do."