Not sure what Friend saw or thought he saw, but transparency would be nice. I discount West Ham’s reaction, because of course they thought it was a foul on the keeper - the keeper got touched, which regardless of how it happens gives you a good chance to see the goal ruled out.
I just cannot really think about it with the Pickford situation as a comparator. It is pointless to judge against a clear travesty, it was an example of exactly the absurd ‘guy in the bright shirt is playing with different rules’ that I hate now.
In the end, in a season where I have seen goals (LFC or otherwise) ruled because of the hang of a shirt of the upper arm, it is hard to get to irate about a goal ruled out because Mane went through a defender, making contact - regardless of what Friend saw. It is just a long way from the worst example. I for one saw the foul as it happened.
Maybe with Jurgen unable to induct Jota into his system for the customary bedding in period… he may feel that sitting him on the bench for 60minutes a game is the best way in the shortest timeline, to inaugurate the lad into the playing system/style…
He does what the manager expects him to do. Not every player is expected to be adventurous and make those risky passes. He might have had unimpressive games, but tonight wasn’t one.
I would say it’s more of a foul on the defender, Fabianski oddly got up probably led to Freind deciding what he did initially.
Also one aspect is they didn’t show Friend the other angle in which it’s obvious the only person who touches the ball is Mane. I personally would feel aggrieved by it but as I said I knew it would be chalked off and I’m glad he made the decision on the monitor.
If VAR keeps spoiling the fans excitement, especially at the rate it is deteriorating on match by match basis… It may well lead to one or more of the top coaches walking away from the game…
Lets hope it is not Jurgen…!
I saw it as more of Mane going under the keeper, and the WH defender "kicking’ his own keeper. One of those could go either way situations except for us it feels as if its going in one direction only.
Anyhow couldn’t give a shit, must be utter shit this team considering it’s had an injury to it’s number one goalie, number one defender, one of the worlds best Midfielders it’s captain, it’s stand in CB and has had to play a 18 year old at the back and a guy who I had thought had left the club.
And all that and it’s top of the league and can only be joint top because it was cheated out of 2 points by substandard refereeing and VAR usage.
