Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton could have ended on a more nerve-wracking note had Jarell Quansah been shown a red card. Former referee Christina Unkel believes that should have been the outcome, and the absence of VAR worked in favor of the defender.
Arne Slot was compelled to make certain team selections due to an injury and suspension crisis in defense, leading to a back four comprising Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wataru Endo, Quansah, and Joe Gomez. Several key players, including Mohamed Salah, were rested, with numerous rotations occurring throughout the match.
By the end of the 90 minutes, the defensive line-up had changed, with Tyler Morton stepping into right full-back and Kostas Tsimikas returning from injury as a second-half substitute on the left. Liverpool comfortably led 2-0 in the first half, but when Southampton reduced the deficit just before the hour mark, tensions rose.
The situation became even more fraught when Matheus Fernandes tried to seize a deceptive clearance by Alex McCarthy, resulting in a scuffle with Quansah, who was the last man standing before Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal. Referee Simon Hooper sided with the Liverpool defender after observing the incident from behind, and without VAR in use in the Carabao Cup until the final, his decision stood.
“Did he or did he not foul him? In this opinion yes, I am actually surprised the referee in this moment did not call the foul,” Unkel stated on CBS, openly disagreeing with Hooper.
As she delved into the details during her commentary, the former FIFA-licensed official elaborated: “It would have been a foul outside the penalty box but it would have been denying of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
“The question I was debating first was did he (Fernandes) slow down trying to draw that foul? The more I’m looking at the ball is up in the air, it’s hovering, he naturally would be slowing and he’s entitled to that space.
“Too much upper body contact so there is a foul there. If VAR was involved they would have done the same thing I would have done – probably over-analysed the play and brought it back to being simple, and then made the recommendation for a DOGSO red.”
Last night’s match presented yet another obstacle for the Reds, especially considering Andy Robertson’s absence due to suspension after his sending-off against Fulham, coupled with injuries weakening the defense such as those suffered by Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.
Looking forward, Virgil van Dijk is anticipated to make a return after some downtime, and with Tsimikas back from injury, Liverpool’s defensive roster seems poised to strengthen just ahead of their Premier League journey to Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.
The 2-1 victory ensures Liverpool’s progression in the Carabao Cup. The Reds will find out their semi-final opponents in Thursday night’s draw, having narrowly avoided a red card decision.