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Liverpool’s valiant fight-back at the Emirates Stadium ended in despair, as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Arsenal as it finished 2-1. The match played at high-tempo, coupled with memories of Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool, ensured a tight finish between both sides. The outcome was marred by a controversial decision by Howard Webb, to deny Liverpool a penalty, following a clash between Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Luis Suárez, inside the penalty box.
Liverpool started off brightly, as Daniel Sturridge missed two early chances. The first chance was of the game was denied by an alert ?ukasz Fabia?ski. Fabia?ski, who filled in for first-choice keeper Wojciech Szcz?sny, delivered a sublime performance throughout the game, with excellent saves. The second chance was clearly a golden opportunity lost, as Sturridge blasted wide after cutting past a rushing Fabia?ski. Very few could have predicted that if Sturridge had capitalized on these chances, the outcome would have been completely different.
The first few minutes of the game ensured a high-tempo match, but it was Arsenal who took the lead in the 16th minute, as Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain made maximum use of a loose ball, to drive in a low finish past Liverpool keeper Brad Jones. Perhaps Jones, who replaced Mignolet in goal, could have done better, but there was no stopping Chamberlain. It was Yaya Sanogo’s blocked shot which ensured that Chamberlain scored his 3rd goal of the season in all competitions.
The second half saw a dominant beginning by Arsenal, and they were rewarded within two minutes of the restart, as the scorer became the creator of the next goal. Chamberlain’s pass to Lukas Podolski was put into the net with a low finish, to score his 6th goal of the season, to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead inside 47 minutes. This goal proved to a massive one, but soon after, Podolski turned villain with a needless foul on Suárez, to gift Liverpool a penalty; and perhaps, a way out.
Steven Gerrard, as cool and calm he is, ensured Liverpool provided signs of a fight-back. Liverpool continued to press with every attack into the Arsenal half, when Suárez, yet again provided the most controversial point of the game.
Suarez fouled by Oxlade-Chamberlain
Suárez hit the wall following his free-kick and attempted to take it away from the onrushing Chamberlain, who packed a strong challenge on him, which literally took Suárez off his feet onto the ground. Howard Webb was best placed to give the decision, but somehow he chose not to award Liverpool a penalty. From the looks of it, Suárez had kicked the ball away in an attempt to run past Chamberlain, but was immediately undone by a physical tackle.
This would have been a penalty in most cases, but perhaps Suárez’s reputation was what put Webb in a dilemma, and he refrained from giving a penalty.
Liverpool went dangerously close on 86 minutes, as a curling Steven Gerrard free-kick was met by Daniel Agger, who put the ball wide. Although there was yet another moment of uncertainity as Fabia?ski mistimed his punch onto the head of Agger, Liverpool could not find the equaliser, as Arsenal avenged their thrashing at Anfield.
It was expected that Brendan Rodgers felt that it was a penalty, while Arsene Wenger felt that it wasn’t. Former Premier League referee Graham Poll talked about the penalty decision. He felt that Webb was poor in his display during the game, and this may not be how the referee can take decisions at the FIFA World Cup, in Brazil in June 2014. He also felt that Suárez’s history of theatrics might have influenced Webb’s decision.
However, the point to consider is, should the history of the player’s role in winning fouls be considered in the game? There can be a mixed reaction. Although Suárez has certainly improved in terms of his antics, he somehow goes down easily in a few cases. Also, if history is to be considered, players like Suárez, Ashley Young and Gareth Bale with a negative reputation have the odds against them in winning a penalty.
Whatever the decision was, there is no point in lamenting a referee’s decisions during the game. While taking positives from the game, Liverpool can now focus entirely on retaining a Champions League spot, or perhaps, a Premier League triumph. With only 12 games to go for Liverpool, as compared to many games for rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, Liverpool can go all out for the remainder of the season, and yield an improved finish as compared to a lowly seventh place finish last season. However, they should watch out for underdogs Tottenham Hotspur.
