Jurgen Klopp‘s side were absolutely dominant in attack against the Magpies. They won 4-2 but could’ve scored many more goals. However, the penalty that led to their fourth has sparked a lot of reactions as many feel Jota dived.
Diogo Jota came off the bench for Liverpool against Newcastle United last night and looked really good.
The Portugal international did a lot of good things, but the one moment that has made the headlines and got everyone talking is the way he won his penalty.
Jota was through on goal and took the ball past Martin Dubravka. All he needed to do was tap the ball into the back of the net with his left foot, but the Liverpool man went to ground instead.
It has to be said that Jota went down too easily. Alan Shearer went as far as calling it a dive, while Ian Wright wasn’t too pleased with the Liverpool man’s actions either. John Terry called it a ‘shocking dive‘ too.
Dubravka has now had his say, and the Newcastle goalkeeper has branded Jota as a ‘clever guy’ for winning the penalty late in the game.
He told the club’s official website: “It is a frustration because he’s a clever guy.
“I tried to pull my arms [away] and not catch him. I felt contact but I’m not really sure what else I should do to not try and catch him, Ar the end it was a penalty.
“There is no point trying to argue with them. With the VAR I don’t know what to say.”
Jota could’ve scored himself
It really is strange that Liverpool star Diogo Jota went down the way he did last night.
Martin Dubravka was clearly trying to get out of the way, and whatever little contact there was definitely wasn’t sufficient to bring Jota down.
The Portugal international, if he didn’t go down, could’ve easily rolled it into the back of the net with his left foot, but he chose a different option.
Sadly for Newcastle United, that penalty killed the game, and they’ve now won just one of their last eight games in all competitions. That is a worrying record.
