Captain Luka Milivojevic has disputed referee Michael Oliver’s decision to award Liverpool a penalty during Crystal Palace’s 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park.
The visitors went in front shortly before half-time through James Milner after Mamadou Sakho was adjudged to have brought down Mohamed Salah inside the box.
While the Serbia international joins Palace boss Roy Hodgson in disagreeing with the controversial verdict, he stopped short of condemning the official.
READ: Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson fumes over Liverpool penalty
Milivojevic said: “In my opinion, it was not a penalty. During the game that was from my point of view.
“After the game, when I saw the images, [it looked like] Mamadou tried to touch the ball. He didn’t touch the ball, he didn’t touch the man, he [Salah] fell down and for the referee it was a penalty.”
When asked whether he thought there was contact, he added: “I didn’t see the contact on Salah.”
The Eagles pushed for the equaliser, coming close through Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha, but Sadio Mané’s stoppage time strike was the finishing blow.
Despite the controversial decision, the 27-year-old believes Oliver is “one of the best referees in the country”.
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Meanwhile, plans to not introduce VAR technology into the Premier League this season has been a major talking point after it was showcased at this summer’s World Cup.
When asked if he’d like to see it be brought in, he said: “I don’t want VAR in this league because, in my opinion, this country has the best referees in the world.
“That’s my opinion and I think VAR will not help.”
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