Liverpool receive explanation from ex-Premier League ref over CONTROVERSIAL incident vs Ipswich | OneFootball

Ipswich Town forward Wes Burns was "really lucky" to avoid being sent-off against Liverpool, according to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher.

As the new season in the top-flight of English football got underway over the weekend, there were a few controversial calls made by officials up and down the country with Eberechi Eze's disallowed free-kick in Crystal Palace's loss against Brentford one of the standout incidents.

Meanwhile, in Saturday's early kick-off, the one flashpoint during the Reds' 2-0 win at Portman Road came in the first-half when Burns - already on a yellow card - swiped at the ball whilst still on the ground.

This prompted protests from the Liverpool bench, including new head coach Arne Slot, as they believed it was deliberate handball thus calling for referee Tim Robinson to issue a second yellow card.

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Gallagher's verdict

However, no sanction given and Gallagher believes the Ipswich star can count himself a little fortunate,

"I do think it's a handball, he's really lucky," Gallagher said on Sky Sports' 'Ref Watch'. "He quite clearly swipes at the ball. He also gets lucky because he's not stopping a promising attack as another Ipswich player is coming across.

"The covering player saves him from getting a yellow card."

Football - FA Premier League - Ipswich Town FC v Liverpool FC IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 17, 2024: Liverpool s head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda IPSWICH Portman Road SUFFOLK ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-08-17-Ipswich_Liverpool-62

As Liverpool ultimately ran out comfortable winners in Suffolk, not much, if any attention, was placed on the incident with Burns as the visitors - by the letter of the law - ought to have been playing the second half with a one-man advantage.

The two other incidents from Portman Road flagged were Omari Hutchinson's challenge on Ryan Gravenberch and Luis Diaz's penalty claim. Although, Gallagher backed the on-field decisions for both, stating the former was rightly shown a yellow card and the latter didn't have a strong enough case to earn a spot-kick.

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