Southampton 3-2 Liverpool: 5 talking points

#2 The penalty not given, the penalty that was

Martin Skrtel was booked for giving away a penalty

The game could have and should have seen two penalties given. However, rather contentiously one was not given and the other was called for immediately after the incident. The first penalty shout was arguably one that was stonewall in nature and spot on, but it wasn’t given.

Shane Long was unmistakably barged over by a nervy Dejan Lovren. However, referee Roger East deemed the challenge as legal leaving Southampton visibly aggrieved.

The second penalty was far easier to award for the referee as Martin Skrtel, on at half time for Dejan Lovren, was back to his usual shenanigans in the box bringing down Graziano Pelle, simply tugging at his shirt with Pelle looking to threaten the Liverpool goal.

However, the second penalty wasn’t about the awarding as it was about the execution. Sadio Mane, also on at half time, stood on the ball looking to slot it away. However, in spite of taking a decent penalty, he saw it saved by a spectacular dive from Simon Mignolet who encashed Martin Skrtel’s only ‘get out of jail’ card on the night with Skrtel eventually costing Liverpool the game.