Liverpool were fortunate to benefit from Jordan Ayew’s red card in their comeback win against Crystal Palace, according to Rio Ferdinand.
Jurgen Klopp ’s side went top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park which was packed full of controversy. Jean-Philippe Mateta put Palace ahead from the penalty spot after VAR advised referee Andy Madley to watch a replay of a Jarell Quansah collision with Mateta.
Ayew was then dismissed for a second yellow card for clipping Harvey Elliott on the counter-attack. Liverpool equalised a minute later through Mohamed Salah and completed the comeback when Elliott netted from the edge of the box in the 91st minute to put the Reds a point ahead of Arsenal, who face Aston Villa in Saturday’s late kick-off.
The sending off was contentious, with Ayew’s first booking coming for preventing Virgil van Dijk from taking a quick free-kick. The second booking was also controversial and helped Liverpool on their way back into the game.
Ferdinand said on TNT Sports: “The feeling in the stadium was complete shock, I actually went ‘What?!’. And sometimes you’ve got to play the factor ‘Is the person on a yellow card?’ as well and that should come into it. There’s no animosity in the tackle. I know it’s a tactical foul in a sense but I don’t believe it’s a yellow card at all.”
Ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch added: “If Joe Gomez was in then maybe, but there was cover, he wasn’t going through on goal. I felt it was a little bit harsh. Rio was spot-on, in the stadium no player reacted, no fans reacted. It felt like the ref made that decision on his own.” Palace manager Roy Hodgson – who was booked himself – was absolutely furious after the final whistle.
“I’m gutted with the way the game panned out,” he said on TNT Sports. “Having to play with 10 men for the last 15-20 minutes was unbelievably harsh on us. I don’t believe it was worthy of the way we played and the amount of fouls we committed, which was about the same amount as Liverpool – maybe one or two less – I don’t believe we deserved nine yellow cards. I probably deserved mine, so I’ll shrug that off.
“He’s been on four yellow cards for three games. He’s shown incredible discipline. Van Dijk took the opportunity to get him the first yellow card by kicking the ball against him from a few yards away – that’s where it’s disappointing.
