Southampton boss Russell Martin was left fuming following his side’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League. The 38-year-old was insistent that his side should have won a penalty kick in the second half.
When Saints striker Adam Armstrong collided with Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, the referee, Sam Barrott, gave the visitors a free-kick. After a brief check by the VAR, Michael Oliver, the decision stood and play continued.
“I’m very disappointed but very proud of a lot of the performances,” Martin said live on Sky Sports post-match. “We went toe to toe with the best team in the league at the moment.
“The two goals are really not good and the penalty is as well. I have a big issue with Adam Armstrong not getting a penalty at 2-1. The goalkeeper collides with him. It’s what VAR is there for. I have a big problem with that decision.
“There’s a real clear offside as well. There are five of their players clearly offside and the flag doesn’t go up. We had a real threat but we should have been better with the ball. I think there’s so much more to come. The fight is there, they’re running. It gives us a platform to build on.”
Liverpool turned the game around through a Mohamed Salah brace. And the goal that Southampton did score was a controversial one because the foul from Andy Robertson could arguably have been outside the penalty area. VAR Oliver decided there was not enough evidence to overturn the initial call.
The result leaves Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Southampton, by contrast, is five points behind Wolves in 17th position, propping up the standings.
“It’s about work, analyze the problems,” Martin continued. “It’s my fault because we thought we would have a chance on transition play. We have to keep learning and helping the players through it as much as we can. Playing out is what got us to the Premier League and I’m really proud of the players.
“Paul has been so patient and had to wait for his opportunity. Disappointed to lose him to an injury, hopefully, it’s not too bad. Tyler is a really great young player who needs to play at the right place. His ceiling is so high and can play where he wants in the future. I think the feeling is very different from the last time this club was in the Premier League. There’s no lack of fight. They’re really trying.”
Liverpool.com says: The referee made decisions that both teams would argue were incorrect but the result was just about a fair one. Thanks to Salah’s brilliance, Liverpool got the job done in the end having started the match really sloppily.
