Newcastle Coach Still Hasn't Received Liverpool's Penalty

Newcastle United questioned the penalty prize for Liverpool (Instagram/@nufc).

JAKARTA - Newcastle lost 2-4 when they visited Liverpool headquarters, Anfield Stadium, in the 20th week of the 20th Premier League 2023/2024, Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Newcastle's manager, Eddie Howe, did not accept the defeat, but protested about the second penalty for the Red one.

The second penalty for Liverpool which led to the fourth goal in the 86th minute was considered controversial.

The referee pointed to the spot after Diogo Jota was violated by goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. This condition occurred when Jota only faced one on one with the goalkeeper.

He tried to grab Dubravka, but fell as a result of being caught in the goalkeeper's hand.

However, the decision was considered by Newcastle unfair. You see, Jota seemed diving and Dubravka did not hit him at all.

No wonder Howe was disappointed with the decision. He emphasized that the penalty shouldn't have been there.

"It should not have been given (penalty). Martin (Dubravka) has pulled his hand. He (Jota) was two steps before he fell. For me, it was not a penalty."

"You have to have a mindset that you created your luck. Loving yourself never gives positive results," Howe said at Sky Sports.

That's not the only penalty that Howe protested. Liverpool's first penalty in the 20th minute also did not escape the manager's protest.

Wasti awarded the hosts a penalty after Sean Longstaff fouled Luis Diaz.

Again, the Newcastle player, according to Howe, can still be debated even though he finally accepted.

"Even the first (penalty) contact was minimal. We felt heavy to do it. However, I think Sean Longstaff's previous penalty was a penalty."

"While I didn't think the second penalty was a penalty," Howe said.

Apart from that, Eddie Howe appreciated the performance of his team at Anfield even though the defense was in the spotlight.

If a controversial penalty is not injured, the match will actually be interesting.

"The players gave everything. I support the quality of this team. In time we will get the results we need."

"A lot happened. The game was full of action. We were disappointed with how we defended."

The defeat to Liverpool made Newcastle United stuck in ninth place in the 2023/2024 Premier League standings with a collection of 29 points.