Michael Owen makes strong point about referees after seeing penalty Liverpool were awarded against Bournemouth

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points after beating AFC Bournemouth, but the result wasn’t without controversy.

The Reds took the lead through the spot as an unconfident Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool ahead with a penalty that was won after Cody Gakpo was seemingly clipped by Lewis Cook inside the box, despite the Cherries captain looking oblivious to the foul.

Despite the unusual nature of the foul, Liverpool were still awarded the penalty and the chance to go ahead against an in-form Bournemouth side, with the decision splitting the football community and once again putting Premier League referees under the spotlight.

Indeed, officials in the English top flight have once again been under immense pressure after a number of high-string problems, yet Michael Owen has made a strong point in response to the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s penalty.

READ MORE: What Arne Slot was heard shouting at the Liverpool player’s after Mo Salah’s goal vs Bournemouth

Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Taking to Twitter, the former Liverpool striker was confused why so many football fans were questioning why Cook’s foul on Gakpo was awarded as a penalty, with Owen amazed that Match of the Day pundits didn’t label the decision as a shock.

Owen tweeted: “Stayed up to watch MOTD anticipating a shocking decision to award Gakpo a penalty. It’s an absolute certain penalty. What chance have officials got if half the population think that’s not a pen?”

With Liverpool still managing to score through open play, though, supporters and pundits will agree that the Reds deserved the three points once the full whilst was blown, giving the Reds a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League.

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Indeed, debate will continue around Liverpool’s penalty for some time, yet for Arne Slot and his Anfield side, the only thing they need to focus on is the next games, with the Reds set for a big few fixtures with February now upon us.

Who do Liverpool play next after Bournemouth win?

Liverpool sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League and will be hopeful of Manchester City doing the business against Arsenal later today in the headline fixture of the English top-flight this weekend.

Yet regardless of what happens today in north London, Liverpool know they have to get the business done in their next few games, with the Reds facing two domestic cup games against Tottenham and Plymouth Argyle before facing Everton the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

With City and Newcastle United also coming up for Liverpool this month, February will be a defining period of the season for the Reds where their quadruple dream will be maintained or ended in their upcoming games.

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