Premier League rules explain Nottingham Forest owner’s fury at late Liverpool winner

Nottingham Forest were furious following Liverpool’s winner at the City Ground (Image: Getty Images)

Referee Paul Tierney handed the ball to Liverpool even though Callum Hudson-Odoi had it moments before the Reds scored, which infuriated Nottingham Forest.

Just moments before Liverpool scored a thrilling late winner at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, referee Paul Tierney made the incorrect decision, giving the ball to Liverpool.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was in control of the ball on the left side when Tierney halted play in the 96th minute following Ibrahima Konate’s head injury.

Even though Forest had possession of the ball during the brief interruption, play resumed with an unchallenged drop ball that was passed to Caoimhin Kelleher.

In the 99th minute, Liverpool scored opposite the goalkeeper as Darwin Nunez headed the ball home, setting off a frenzied atmosphere. After the final buzzer, though, Forest’s players, staff, and owner Evangelos Marinakis took their anger out on Tierney.

It has been proven that Tierney was mistaken; he ought to have given the ball back to Forest, which might have stopped Liverpool from scoring the winning goal. IFAB rule 8.2 provides that “the referee drops the ball for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the position where it last touched a player.”

As Forest sought an equalizer, Hudson-Odoi should have been given possession of the ball on the left wing. Despite Forest’s best efforts to clear the ball, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team managed to steal the ball right before the final whistle.

IFAB Rule 8.2: Method

When play was stopped, the ball is dropped into the penalty area for the goalkeeper of the opposing team to collect if:

either the ball entered the penalty area or it had its final touch inside the penalty area.

In every other situation, the ball is dropped by the referee for one player from the team that last had contact with it, whether that be a player, an outside agent, or a match official, as specified in Law 9.1.

No player on either side may touch the ball until it enters play, and everyone else must keep at least 4 meters (4.5 yards) away.

Marinakis chose to confront referee Tierney in the tunnel following full-time, advising him to “respect the players,” as Forest were incensed by the decision. Forest coach Steven Reid was sent off after expressing his frustration at Tierney, and security had to restrain the Greek billionaire.

While Klopp reveled in front of the visiting fans, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk appeared perplexed as the mayhem unfolded. “It occurred exactly the same in the first half didn’t it?” Klopp said when asked for his verdict on the controversial incident. The exact same thing, but reversed.

It occurred in the first half, so I figured that was just how things would play out. I would have also asked if it hadn’t happened in the first half. That must be the rule, right? I have no idea. However, I fail to comprehend their rationale for initiating a conversation given that the matter was addressed in precisely the same manner on both occasions.

At the same time, Nuno Espirito declined to comment or get involved in the discussion. The Portuguese player refused to comment on the referee. It won’t be good, so please don’t insist on it. Without a doubt, it will spark some conversation during the week. Hopefully, the choices will be more favorable.