‘What does that mean?’ – Steve Nicol slams head coach’s ‘nonsense’ comment after Liverpool draw

Steve Nicol took umbrage with one post-match comment on the stoppage-time penalty decision in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle on Sunday.

The Reds were awarded a spot kick deep into added time when Lewis Hall clashed into Victor Munoz inside the box, and Dominik Szoboszlai duly converted to ensure a share of the spoils at St James’ Park.

Gary Neville said on co-commentary for Sky Sports that it was the right decision, insisting that the Magpies left-back fouled the Spanish winger and didn’t get any of the ball, but the home side’s head coach Matthias Jaissle argued that the awarding of the penalty was ‘really soft‘.

‘What does that mean?’ – Steve

Nicol slams Jaissle comments as ‘nonsense’

That comment from the 38-year-old annoyed Nicol, who retorted that there’s no grey area when it comes to such penalty decisions.

The ex-Liverpool defender said on ESPN FC: “What does that mean? It’s either a foul or it’s not a foul. If it’s a foul, it’s a penalty and it’s not soft. You can’t have this ‘soft’ nonsense. If you’re gonna come out with that…I’m sorry, I don’t get it.

“If that was in the other penalty box, I’d be saying the exact same thing. I don’t get where the debate is, because it’s clear as day for me.”

Image via Sky Sports

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Penalty decision was correct, but Liverpool still got out of jail

The contact from Hall on Munoz mightn’t have been especially forceful, and some may argue that the winger went to ground easily, but the Liverpool winger was definitely clipped by the knee of the Newcastle left-back, who got nowhere near the ball.

It was tough on the Magpies to see two points slip away from them so late in the game, but replays show that Stuart Attwell made the right decision, and the officials on VAR felt no need to intervene.

From a Reds perspective, it’s one of those where we’ll take the point – especially with the equaliser coming in the 99th minute – but there’s no denying that a vast improvement is needed in upcoming games if we’re to challenge for the Champions League places this season.

Many of the familiar failings from last term are still present, most notably a lack of security at the base of midfield, a flaw that Jamie Carragher bemoaned for Anthony Elanga’s early goal at St James’ Park.

While Jaissle will harbour regrets over the penalty, his opposite number Andoni Iraola would’ve been stewing over the myriad issues in his team which need addressing on his way back from Tyneside last night.