VIDEO: Liverpool Fans Point Out Double Standard in Reaction to Identical Challenges by Haaland and Jota

One can appreciate calls for Diogo Jota to have been handed a red card for his high boot, which collided with Oliver Skipp’s head when the Tottenham man also vied for the ball.

However, we take exception to the discourse that has followed, with Dermot Gallagher a shining example of the blatant hypocrisy present in the sport.

Comparing Sky Sports footage of the former official analysing Erling Haaland’s high boot on Joachim Andersen before our No.20’s, the Irishman is seen showing leniency to the former whilst suggesting a completely different outcome for the latter. It 

Given that the two incidents are near identical, it’s difficult to see why there should be a difference in the punishment issued.

You can catch the clip below, 

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 On Haaland, Gallagher said: “Well I don’t think it’s a red card, I think it is a genuine attempt by a player to play the ball.

“I think Andersen throws himself in and he’s allowed to do that. I don’t think Haaland sees him, his boot’s up. I think if the referee gives a free kick and a yellow card it’s enough, it’s reckless but certainly not dangerous.”

When speaking about Jota’s challenge on Skipp, Gallagher said: “If it was a red card he couldn’t complain. I know Skipp puts his head in.

“The argument is he invaded Jota’s space, well, should Jota have his foot that high? Most certainly not.”

Fans were quick to react on social media.

One said: “This is my big problem with pundits at the moment. Presented with a near identical fact pattern they can arrive at two very different answers and then criticise VAR for doing the same. I think Haaland was lucky not to be sent off, I think the same for Jota.”

Another tweeted: “This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘making it up as he goes along’.”

A third fan added: “And there you have it, tell me referees don’t show leniency towards certain teams and apply rules in different ways.”

Whilst a fifth commented: “This is farcical. It’s either none of them are reds or both of them are. How can he say two contrasting things about the same incident?”

Do you think Jota was lucky to stay on the pitch? Let us know in the comments.