Fuming Southampton boss Ivan Juric makes wild claim about Liverpool penalty | Football

Southampton manager Ivan Juric says there is no way that Liverpool’s first penalty on Saturday should have been given and claims the referee made the decision because the score was 1-1.

The Saints took an unlikely lead at Anfield, with Will Smallbone capitalising on a strange mix-up at the back between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.

Reds boss Arne Slot made three changes at half-time with his side behind and it did not take the home team long to sort things out.

Darwin Nunez equalised after 51 minutes and then won a penalty three minutes later, which was converted by Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian then scored another penalty late on, but it was the first spot-kick which was still bothering Juric after the final whistle.

It was a pretty soft decision, with Nunez going down easily under a challenge from Smallbone and the Saints boss could not believe it was given.

The Croatian even made a pretty big claim that the officials made the decision because of the surprise scoreline at Anfield.

‘They reacted really well. We had really good moments of the first half,’ Juric told the BBC. ‘I think the [first] penalty was not a penalty and that changed the match. I am satisfied with how we played today.

‘This cannot be a penalty ever. I’m sorry it happened because it was 1-1 and it changed the match a little bit. We have lots of young players who want to grow up and improve.

‘We can lose but we have to fight like we fight today.’

Nunez scored his first goal since 18 January when he netted twice against Brentford, which Salah was delighted to say.

‘Very important. He is a very important player for us,’ Salah said of ihs teammate.

‘I’m always there talking to him. He is very important, we need him. And you saw him also in the last game against PSG, he was very important when he came in, making a difference. Good for him.’

‘He added: ‘It was a tough game, they had a good game plan. It worked well first half for them. But I’m glad that we managed to come back in the second half and win the game.’

MORE: When is Amad Diallo back from injury for Manchester United?

MORE: Rio Ferdinand names Arsenal signing that ‘will turn them into champions’

MORE: Mikel Arteta explains his completely opposite approach to Ruben Amorim