A collective gasp rippled through Anfield as Diego Gomez launched into a challenge on Florian Wirtz. The tackle, occurring just before halftime in Liverpool’s match against Brighton, appeared to many as a clear dismissal offense.
Yet, the red card never materialized. Gomez received only a yellow, a decision that left onlookers stunned and ignited immediate debate. A VAR check upheld the on-field ruling, deeming the challenge not to meet the threshold for “excessive force” or “serious foul play.”
Watching from the Sky Sports studio, former player Tim Sherwood was visibly incredulous. He argued Wirtz clearly won possession before the challenge, and Gomez’s intent wasn’t to play the ball. Instead, Sherwood saw a dangerous lunge, studs connecting forcefully with Wirtz’s chest and abdomen.
“It’s a red card, honestly,” Sherwood asserted. “His foot is in his chest, he’s studded him down, dragging [his boot] down into his abdominal region. For me that is a red card.” The severity of the impact was a central point of contention.
Adding weight to the argument, former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed with Sherwood’s assessment. Dean emphasized the dangerous height of Gomez’s foot, highlighting the direct contact to Wirtz’s stomach. He believed the incident leaned decisively towards a red card.
Chris Sutton, another football analyst, described the challenge as “high and dangerous.” He echoed the sentiment that on another day, under different scrutiny, Gomez could easily have been sent off. The potential for serious injury was undeniable.
The incident occurred while Liverpool held a narrow 1-0 lead, courtesy of an early goal from Hugo Ekitike. The tension surrounding the match was already palpable, and the controversial non-call only amplified it.
Ekitike would later extend Liverpool’s advantage, doubling the lead on the hour mark with an assist from Mohamed Salah. Salah’s appearance was itself a storyline, returning to the squad after a recent public disagreement with manager Arne Slot.
Salah’s introduction was met with a resounding cheer from the Anfield faithful, despite the backdrop of his recent comments expressing frustration over unfulfilled promises from the club. He had openly questioned his relationship with Slot, adding another layer of intrigue to the match.
The game ultimately concluded with a 2-0 victory for Liverpool, but the shadow of Gomez’s challenge, and the debate over the VAR decision, lingered long after the final whistle. It served as a stark reminder of the fine margins and intense scrutiny that define the modern game.
