Darwin Nunez decision during Liverpool win leaves Southampton boss furious
Darwin Nunez was crucial to Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Southampton as he scored the equaliser before winning a penalty to help them come from behind, but Saints boss Ivan Juric has insisted it was never a spot kick
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorSouthampton boss Ivan Juric slammed Darwin Nunez for "going down too easily" for Liverpool's first penalty on Saturday, complaining that it "changed the match".
The Saints had stunned Anfield after taking a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half thanks to Will Smallbone's opener, which came after a calamitous mistake from Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson.
But just after half time, Liverpool sprung to life as Nunez got the team level following his close-range finish from a terrific Luis Diaz cross. Nunez was then crucial in Liverpool going 2-1 up after being fouled by Smallbone in the area, with Mohamed Salah converting the resulting spot kick.
Salah would go on to dispatch another penalty in the 87th minute after Yukinari Sugawara fouled Diaz to ensure the home side running out 3-1 winners and going 16 points clear at the top of the table.
Saints boss Juric was happy with the "fight" his side showed but was far from happy with Liverpool's first penalty - especially given the scores were level at the time - and believes Nunez went to ground too easily.
"They reacted really well," he said. "We had really good moments of the first half. I think the [first] penalty was not a penalty and that changed the match. I am satisfied with how we played today.
"This cannot be a penalty ever. I'm sorry it happened because it was 1-1 and it changed the match a little bit. We are in England, normally they don't like these kind of things. It was not correct, he [Nunez] goes down too easily. We have lots of young players who want to grow up and improve. We can lose but we have to fight like we fight today."
Juric - who has been in charge since taking over from Russell Martin in December - might also be frustrated that Nunez stayed on the pitch despite hacking out at Kyle Walker-Peters.
The Uruguayan was initially shown a yellow card but there was a VAR check to determine whether it should be upgraded to red before referee Lewis Smith was advised to stick with a caution.
Commentator Chris Sutton was one of the dissenting voices condemning Nunez's challenge, saying on BBC Radio 5Live: "It was such a reckless, daft challenge. Liverpool lucky to have 11 on the pitch."
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