Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has agreed with Craig Pawson’s decision not to give Aaron Cresswell a red card in Liverpool’s loss to West Ham.
Liverpool’s first defeat of the season came on Sunday evening at the London Stadium as they lost 3-2, but the Hammers could have been down to 10-men early in the first half.
Cresswell’s high follow through on Jordan Henderson was dangerous and players have been sent off for challenges very similar, but Pawson decided against it.
With West Ham leading 1-0 at the time, Cresswell won the ball with his forceful challenge but it was the afters that led to the Liverpool players wanting action from the referee as Henderson was hurt on the pitch.
The challenge got a second look at on VAR but it was deemed to not be forceful enough to warrant a red card and Cresswell went unpunished.
On Sky Sports News Ref Watch, ex-referee Gallagher said: “I think it was a free kick on the field and a yellow card.
“I don't think it should have been ramped up. I think that should have been a yellow card.”
Liverpool were poor throughout the loss and didn’t deserve the points, but a red card being given would have been a game-changer.
