Chris Wilder blasts Simon Hooper after giving Liverpool ‘two definite decisions’

Chris Wilder claims that his Sheffield United team lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool because of two “definite decisions” that went against them.

Chris Wilder reacts during his Sheffield United’s defeat to Liverpool on his Bramall Lane return (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Chris Wilder was unwavering in his belief that Liverpool’s second goal in the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Sheffield United on Wednesday night should not have stood.

After Darwin Nunez tackled Jayden Bogle with a forceful sliding challenge in stoppage time, Virgil van Dijk’s header gave Jurgen Klopp’s team a 1-0 lead. Dominik Szoboszlai then crossed for Darwin to secure all three points.

Referee Simon Hooper had already given the Uruguayan a yellow card for kicking the ball away after replacing the player. Speaking following the game, United’s new manager, Chris Wilder, made it apparent that, in his opinion, Nunez had committed two infractions prior to creating the second goal.

He told reporters, “I was most disappointed with the tackle on Jayden Bogle by the center-forward.” When I was playing 25 years ago, people would comment on it and say, “That was a pretty good tackle.” That part where you take the ball but you take the man might have been directed at me.

“He’s completely encircled Jayden Bogle with his legs, which has led to the second goal. I recognize the second objective. As a manager, I won’t just stand by and do nothing.

“We changed the formation late in the game, made substitutions, and opened up in the final ten minutes. We anticipated that would happen, and the boy found an amazing way to wrap things off.

But it seems like a foul to me. I believe there was a foul committed before he jumped into Jack Robinson. It’s unacceptable.

In addition, Wilder felt that his team should have been given a penalty in the second half for Ibrahima Konate’s shove on James McAtee. However, he wasn’t persuaded that Van Dijk’s corner kick that opened the score wasn’t a foul.

When asked if the Blades should have been given a penalty, he asked in almost disbelieving tones, “For what, a two-handed push on James McAtee?” “It is not his responsibility to stay upright if a center-half, center-forward, or midfield player pushes another center-half, center-forward, or midfield player with two hands, sends him down in any area of the field.

“He used both hands to push him into the box. It carries a penalty. Just like that.

“I haven’t really seen that (the first goal) happen that quickly.” Blocks are present. The manager of Liverpool claimed there were blocks everywhere during their match against Brentford.

“I believed those were being removed by the Premier League and the Refereeing Association. Clearly, there were blocks inside. For him to discover complete freedom, and Jack Robinson, I believe, lying on the ground.

“Virgil has a free chance and an opportunity and is, like, ten yards out. Something has collided or come together in that space.

However, there is no doubt that the other two decisions were bad ones that didn’t work out for us. To be honest, I believe that the referee had yet another bad night. It’s not rose-colored glasses, based on what I observed.

After rejoining Sheffield United earlier this week, Wilder was leading the team for the first time in his second stint at Bramall Lane. Not surprisingly, considering his grievances, he believed his players should have gotten more against Liverpool.

Our opponent is Liverpool. We’re playing European elite, not a mug side, he declared. Not only is the English Premier League elite, but its players are simply amazing.

“I intended to make their evening uncomfortable.” Liverpool fans and everyone associated with the team and manager will, in my opinion, move on, thrilled with the outcome and thrilled to pick up three points.

“I’m a little disappointed that the game did not yield any results for us.”