Glasner Defends Controversial Goal in Palace Defeat at Anfield
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has addressed the friction surrounding Daniel Munoz’s goal during his side’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday. The goal caused an uproar at Anfield as Munoz scored while Liverpool goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was down with an injury.
The Decision to Play On
Despite protests from Liverpool players and fans regarding the sportsmanship of the goal, Glasner maintained that the officials made the correct call. He argued that halting play every time a goalkeeper is shaken up during a set-piece would set a “dangerous” precedent, potentially leading to players staying down to tactical advantage.
Glasner noted that Woodman was able to finish the match, suggesting the injury was not severe enough to warrant an immediate whistle.
Defending Daniel Munoz
The Palace boss also cleared Munoz of any intentional unsporting behavior, explaining that the sequence happened too quickly for the player to react to Woodman’s distress.
- The Save: Woodman blocked the initial shot with his leg.
- The Finish: As Woodman attempted to get up and raised his arm, Munoz was already striking the ball.
- Timing: Glasner insisted the goal and the realization of the injury occurred simultaneously.
Considering an “Own Goal”
Interestingly, Glasner revealed that he and his staff discussed whether to allow Liverpool to score an uncontested goal to restore their lead. However, he decided against it because Woodman remained in the game.
Glasner stated that he would have instructed his team to concede an own goal only if the injury had been serious enough to force Woodman off the pitch. He concluded by noting that goalkeepers often experience temporary pain after close-range collisions, which doesn’t always necessitate stopping play.
