Former PGMOL chief blasts Anthony Taylor for ‘unacceptable’ mistake during Arsenal draw vs Liverpool

Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates saw a host of drama fall upon North London.

Bukayo Saka returned with a bang as the winger gave Mikel Arteta’s side the lead after only nine minutes. 

The Englishman’s goal was responded to by Virgil van Dijk, with a similar scenario unfolding as Mohamed Salah later cancelled out Mikel Merino’s first Arsenal goal. 

The evenly-contested 90 minutes ended in a draw, which was a disappointing result for the Gunners, with the point harder to swallow due to questions over Anthony Taylor’s performance.

Keith Hackett shares Anthony Taylor verdict after Arsenal vs Liverpool

Taylor took charge of the top of the table clash and made the headlines for several reasons.

The most prominent instance was his decision to penalise Jakub Kiwior for a foul spotted in the build up to Arsenal scoring what would have been a stoppage time match winner.

Mike Dean reacted to Kiwior’s foul, questioning Taylor’s actions by deeming the challenge a ‘50-50’ in the dying embers of the contest. 

The late drama wasn’t the only questionable action of the referee on the evening, as former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett made his opinion on a first half incident clear.

Early into the fixture, Van Dijk was involved in an altercation with Kai Havertz, with the centre-back seen to kick out at the Arsenal striker twice.

Taylor awarded Arsenal a free kick but decided not to caution the Dutchman, which was a call that Hackett strongly disagreed with.

“This type of behaviour on the field of play is unacceptable and should be sanctioned,” Hackett said on X after the draw.

One point not enough for Arsenal

Temperatures regarding Van Dijk’s early actions rose as the defender scored for Liverpool later in the half.

Perhaps things would have been different if Taylor had stamped out the 33-year-old’s inappropriate conduct; however, the fact remains that Arsenal should have been good enough to win regardless. 

Arsenal were in a leading position twice in the game but failed to get over the line, something that could prove costly on their hunt for silverware. 

PGMOL have been the subject of a number of Arteta’s side’s results this season although, had the Gunners won such games, talk would be a lot quieter.

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