Liverpool were furious that Brighton winger Yankuba Minte was not given a second yellow card for diving after he went down under pressure from Jeremy Frimpong in the box.
Yankuba Minte invaded the box for a penalty (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes Brighton winger Yankuba Minte should have been shown a second yellow card for diving on Saturday. Arn Slott was furious after referee Darren England took no action against Minte during the first half of Brighton’s 2-1 win.
Minte had already been booked for throwing himself onto the floor early in the Premier League kick-off. When Brighton played the ball in behind Jeremy Frimpong, Minte raced to get there and fell to the ground.
England waved away the Brighton winger’s appeal for a penalty, but also took no action against the dive. Slott was then seen yelling at the referee while making a diving motion with his hands.
Liverpool went into the break level at 1-1 with the Seagulls, but rubbed their wounds just after half-time as Minte crossed for Danny Welbeck to score his second goal, giving Brighton the lead for the second time. The Seagulls went on to win 2-1, ending Liverpool’s chances of progressing into the top four.
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Asked at half-time on TNT Sports whether Minte should have been sent off, Gerrard said: “Well, I think he was very lucky. It was a great battle in that team. They both have tremendous speed. The ball was played in behind here, but there was no contact and he just went over.”
“In my opinion, this was a jump and he got away with one shot here. He’s very, very lucky. I’d be surprised if the coach actually put Mitoma (Kaoru) on the bench and kept him longer. So keep an eye on that as well.”
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch added: “I agree with Arne Slott. It was clear he was looking for a penalty and he could have easily gone there.”
Arne Slott believed Yankva Minte had dived
Welbeck put Brighton ahead in the 14th minute with a header from close range, but a Lewis Dunk mistake allowed Liverpool to equalize. Brighton’s centre-back flicked a long ball towards the goalkeeper, but Milos Kerkes read it and lobbed it to Bert Verbruggen to make it 1-1.
Brighton took the lead again in the 56th minute after Minte avoided a red card and Fabian Hürzeler refused to substitute him. The winger sent a great cross to Jack Hinshelwood, who put it back into Welbeck’s path and side-footed the ball home.
Minte continued to pose a threat on Brighton’s left flank, forcing a one-on-one save from Giorgi Mamadashvili, who broke in front of goal a few minutes later. He was replaced by Mitoma in the 76th minute and Brighton achieved their fourth win in their last five games, moving them into eighth place in the Premier League.
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