Jota went down five minutes from full-time (Picture: Getty)
Premier League legends Alan Shearer and Ian Wright slammed the f*****g embarrassing’ Diogo Jota after his penalty incident in Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle.
The Reds eased to a 4-2 win over Newcastle on Monday night with Mohamed Salah scoring twice and providing an assist in his last performance before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Egypt international saw a first-half penalty saved by Martin Dubravka but found the back of the net from 12 yards five minutes from full-time.
Jota was played through one on one after a sublime through ball from Alexia Mac Allister, rounding the goalkeeper and taking another step before going down with an open goal in front of him.
Replays suggested Jota’s ankle was caught by the Newcastle goalkeeper but his delayed reaction to the contact attracted widespread criticism.
Former Arsenal star Wright remarked: ‘Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all!’
Newcastle legend Shearer followed up by commenting: ‘F*****g embarrassing.’
Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all!— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 1, 2024
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was also disappointed with the decision.
‘We were in the game,’ Howe said. ‘We had our moments as well in transitions, the spirit was there, the players were committed. There was a lot more to the game.
‘We were up against it with two very soft penalties, the second one wasn’t a penalty at all. That doesn’t help when you come here.’
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Asked if he had spoken to his goalkeeper to ask if there was contact, Howe added: ‘I haven’t spoken to him, I have just seen it myself and it looks like Jota takes two steps before he falls down.’
Newcastle have now lost seven of their last eight games having slipped to ninth in the table.
Liverpool meanwhile move three points clear at the top of the league.
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