Hendrick: “Every decision Coote makes will be looked at with suspicion” | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Coote Controversy: Referee Decisions Questioned on Anfield Index Podcast

Liverpool fans have long felt that controversial officiating has influenced their club’s fortunes on the pitch. During a recent Daily Red podcast, hosted by Anfield Index, Dave Hendrick dissected this ongoing issue with referee David Coote, especially as Liverpool faces rising stakes in both the Premier League and European competitions.

Coote’s Record: A Pattern of Controversial Calls

For Liverpool fans, the controversy surrounding David Coote is nothing new. “David Coote has been suspended by the PGMOL,” Dave Hendrick mentioned in the episode, emphasising the ongoing investigations and issues surrounding Coote’s officiating decisions. According to Hendrick, Coote’s response to the recent controversy was confusing at best: “He denied that the video was real, then he says he doesn’t remember which is a hell of a defense.” This murky response has raised questions about the referee’s integrity and whether he should continue officiating at the highest level.

Key Liverpool Games Impacted by Coote’s Decisions

Hendrick took a deep dive into specific incidents in Liverpool matches where Coote’s refereeing raised eyebrows. One notable incident was the infamous 2019 foul on Divock Origi in Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United. Hendrick pointed out that Coote, who was overseeing VAR, “did not bother to give the free kick and allowed the goal to stand.” In a season where Liverpool set the pace, this failure to intervene left fans questioning VAR’s role and, more specifically, Coote’s judgment.

Further criticism was directed at Coote’s handling of the 2020 incident involving Virgil van Dijk and Everton’s Jordan Pickford. Van Dijk, a cornerstone of Liverpool’s defence, suffered a season-ending injury due to a reckless tackle from Pickford. Hendrick recounted how “David Coote forgot to check for a red card,” resulting in one of the season’s most debated officiating lapses. “They were being told it wasn’t checked,” Hendrick said, noting the inconsistency in communication from the referees’ association, PGMOL.

Liverpool’s Winning Statistics with Coote: Cause for Concern

Another striking point discussed in the podcast was how Liverpool’s win rate suffers under Coote’s officiating. Hendrick shared statistics from analyst Sam Maguire, which indicate that Liverpool’s “win rate dropped by 12.6% with Coote involved.” Comparing this to Manchester United’s record, Hendrick observed that United boasts an impressive “85% win rate when this man refereed them.” This disparity has fueled allegations of bias, leading some to question whether Coote should be barred from overseeing Liverpool games in the future.

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Arsenal Penalty Denial: Missed Opportunity

The Daily Red podcast also revisited the missed penalty decision against Arsenal last season. Hendrick highlighted that Liverpool were denied a clear-cut penalty when Martin Ødegaard handled the ball. Coote, as the VAR official, defended his decision by stating, “he’s falling down; he’s moving his arms towards him,” ruling out a Liverpool penalty. Hendrick voiced frustration on behalf of fans, adding that “Howard Webb later admitted it was the wrong decision.” For Liverpool supporters, this incident solidified the sense that Coote’s decisions often work against their club.

Should David Coote Referee Liverpool Matches Again?

Hendrick believes Coote’s history of questionable decisions justifies banning him from officiating Liverpool games. “Every single decision that he makes will be looked at with suspicion,” Hendrick argued, pointing out that Coote’s actions have eroded the confidence of Liverpool fans and players alike. As Hendrick put it, “people want to say we’re being paranoid about this,” but the data points to a significant impact on Liverpool’s performance with Coote officiating.

The Daily Red podcast brought critical questions to the fore about David Coote’s role in Liverpool’s fortunes, and his controversial track record continues to be a point of contention. For Liverpool fans, Hendrick’s analysis provided much-needed context to what many see as a clear case of bias.