Controversial refereeing call causes Liverpool fans to fume online

A foul in the North London derby has caused outrage online as Liverpool fans have been keen to remind the referee of a similar challenge last year.

Tottenham Hotspur hosted local rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and a foul by Jurien Timber in the first half struck a nerve for some Liverpool fans.

With the score 0-0, Timber went in for a challenge on Pedro Porro when his foot slipped over the top of the ball and into Porro’s outstretched leg, a strikingly similar incident to one in Liverpool’s visit to Tottenham last season.

Liverpool fans will remember that game as one of their most controversial of the Premier League era. A perfectly good Luis Diaz goal was chalked off for offside and two Liverpool players were given red cards, the only time in Jurgen Klopp’s tenure that his side were reduced to nine men.

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Jones’ red card

Curtis Jones was sent off in the 26^th minute when he entered into a challenge with Yves Bissouma and his foot slipped over the top of the ball and into Bissouma’s leg.

In both incidents the players were booked and then VAR was consulted, on Sunday Timber’s yellow remained a yellow, but last season Jones was given his marching orders by VAR.

The challenge has massively divided opinion amongst Liverpool supporters online. Some think that neither of the challenges should be red cards, some think that Jones should have seen red but Timber shouldn’t have, and some feel that if Jones’ was a sending-off, Timbers’ has to be too.

Redknapp thinks Timber should’ve seen red

During Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp pointed out the similarities between the two challenges.

“There was a tackle here last year with Curtis Jones and Bissouma, Curtis Jones ended up getting sent off for that, something very similar. [Timber] is very very lucky.”

Paul Merson agreed with Redknapp that the Arsenal defender was fortunate to not receive a red card.

Arsenal went on to win the match 1-0, moving them one point ahead of Liverpool in the league following the Reds' disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest.