Arsenal defender David Luiz has attempted to argue against the penalty decision awarded against him after he pulled Mohamed Salah’s jersey during the Gunners’ 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday.
Luiz tugged on Salah’s jersey during the second-half and made it an easy decision for referee Anthony Taylor who pointed straight to the spot where the Egyptian converted.
Luiz’s pull on Salah’s jersey was blatant but the Brazilian insists that you can’t see the power of the pull and added that that makes it difficult for the referees.
“It was a reflex. I didn’t use any power – I ask Mo Mo (Salah) and he said he didn’t feel anything, that’s why he didn’t go down to the floor,” the centre-back told Sky Sports in his post-match interview.
“But now we have VAR, you can’t see the power and it’s difficult for the referees. He saw the shirt being pulled, I can’t complain, it is difficult for them. If you play with an extra large shirt it could be a penalty every time. It’s interpretation. If you pull someone with power and you change their trail to the ball it’s different. It was just a reflex.
“He gave me a yellow card and I couldn’t make a foul on Salah for the third goal and put my team in trouble. My game was more difficult after that.”
"It's just a reflex…"
David Luiz gives his verdict on the penalty given against him today, admitting the yellow card contributed to Liverpool's third goal. ⚠
Watch the incident and all of today's goals on the Sky Sports app or via our YouTube page: https://t.co/w9Fskx3BwF pic.twitter.com/zNrgSEp7VJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/1165347750323658752
Arsenal manager Unai Emery added that he thought the penalty against Luiz was soft and added that the match was a learning curve for some members in his squad.
“They finished the first half 1-0 and in the second half the key was the penalty. I think it was soft and I think usually it’s not enough for holding, but it was decided like that and we continued in our way,” said Emery.
“We opened more and they gave us more space to keep the ball and to keep possession for attacks against them – and in the transition they are a very strong team. That’s how they scored their third goal. It was in this moment we needed to show something different, not frustration, not going down, and keep our moment in the match and hold our moment.
“It was a bad result but we are working for progress. I think we showed character and also the impact from Lucas Torreira with Alex Lacazette and Micki was good.
“Also some players today made one step ahead like Willock, and I also think it was a good match for Pepe and Matteo. Ceballos today struggled more than last week, but this is one more experience for him. We need to be realistic but also confident in each training and the next match.”
