With mounting pressure, Liverpool, who top the table, finally broke through in the 95th minute against Scott Parker’s Burnley. Mohamed Salah stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted it past Martin Dubravka, securing a 1-0 win in the Premier League clash. Following fan frustration, a former PGMOL official has weighed in on whether Salah should have been asked to retake the penalty.
Despite spending over £400 million on new signings like Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz, Arne Slot’s team has struggled to impress since the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Liverpool, who lifted the title comfortably last season, are now showing signs that repeating that success won’t be easy. Their winning goals have come late in matches: the 88th minute vs. Bournemouth, 100th vs. Newcastle, 83rd vs. Arsenal, and 95th vs. Burnley. Salah scored the winner against Burnley but questions have been raised about the legitimacy of his penalty, given concerns over players entering the box early.
In the final moments at Turf Moor, Jeremie Frimpong’s cross was blocked by Hannibal Mejbri, whose arm was extended unnaturally, leading referee Michael Oliver to award a penalty. Jamie Carragher, commentating for Sky Sports, was heavily criticized for labeling Mejbri “brain dead” for his error. “Burnley don’t deserve that,” Carragher said. “It’s a moment of madness.”
Despite Carragher’s harsh words, Liverpool were granted a golden chance to secure three points. However, many fans believe Salah’s penalty should have been disallowed because Frimpong appeared to enter the box before the kick was taken. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL and FIFA official Keith Hackett shared his opinion.
Hackett admitted he wasn’t initially aware of a recent law change and expressed surprise that Oliver allowed the goal without VAR intervention, praising Oliver as one of the Premier League’s best referees. The new rule states that if an attacking player encroaches into the box, a goal can only be disallowed if that encroachment affects the goalkeeper. Hackett explained that although Frimpong entered the penalty area early, Oliver judged he didn’t impact the goalkeeper, so the goal stood.
“He went into the box, which normally would mean a decision change, but under the new rule, the referee must judge the impact on the goalkeeper,” Hackett said. “Oliver decided Frimpong’s movement didn’t affect the keeper, so the goal was allowed.” Hackett further explained why Salah wasn’t asked to retake the penalty, emphasizing the importance of whether the encroachment influenced the goalkeeper’s ability to save the shot.
Looking ahead, after reclaiming their place atop the league, Slot’s Liverpool will prepare to face Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in their 2025/26 Champions League opener on Wednesday. They then host Everton at Anfield on Saturday, September 30, as Premier League action resumes.
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