Is Howard Webb Really the Best Ref in the Premiership?

Article by e-Liverpool Correspondent Emma Rhodes

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Sunday saw Arsenal defeat and knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup as they sought revenge for their 5-1 defeat at Anfield last week. Despite resting a number of players ahead of meeting Manchester United as well as Bayern Munich in the European games, Arsenal looked a lot better as a team on Sunday, plus they had Howard Webb on their side.

Every Liverpool fan would have cringed slightly when they realised Webb was to be their referee, with the last of their 6 games played, they have lost whilst being under the ‘careful’ eye of Webb. The former 'Fergie golden boy' was notoriously friendly with the former Manchester United manager as all decisions would go the way of United, equally all decisions seemed to go against Liverpool and continue to do so even after the Scotsman’s retirement. Everyone knows that Webb loves to be the star of the show and is apparently prepared to go against his own profession to gain this attention, however there has to be a reason as to why this ‘world class’ referee is booed at the World Cup Final 2010 as well as a number of Premiership games.

There is no denying that Arsenal looked good yesterday, but it is also fair to say that Liverpool should have at least drawn with the Gunners yesterday and the match stats support this. Liverpool should have scored at least 1 more goal with Sturridge gaining a potential hat-trick with 2 great chances in the first 5 minutes of the game.

Players like Podolski were continuously let off for their poor decision making and nasty tackles. Podolski could and should have been sent off after making the same tackle on a number of Liverpool players, however 'reliable Webb' failed to see these or at least see their intent and Podolski was not booked for anything, to go on to score for Arsenal and leaving Liverpool behind by 2 goals come half time. Webb also failed to notice Arsenal elbows to Liverpool faces on top of all the digs and tackles Arsenal committed against Liverpool that none of the Reds fans could believe.

Nearly every challenge made by a Liverpool player, Webb was ready and prepared to meet them with a card and a booking. Arsenal on the other hand saw challenge after challenge met  with a tap on the wrist or completely ignored. Another Podolski tackle was followed by a Liverpool penalty but amazingly Podolski was still not booked for his behaviour. Gerrard scored a great penalty and Reds fans may have allowed their hopes to rise slightly, seeing that the game could be brought back from the brink.

However, Liverpool celebrations were short lived when Luis Suarez was pole-axed by Oxlade-Chamberlain in the penalty box. Another decision (and penalty) Liverpool were robbed of due to the lack of professionalism of Webb, who was stood in the ideal position to have clearly see the offence, similar to the penalty he should have awarded Liverpool back in December when they played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after Samuel Eto’o tripped Suarez. Many will use Suarez as a scapegoat for diving and it does appear that he is the only player in the Premier League where his reputation proceeds him, but it is costing Liverpool dearly when referees like Webb control the game in such a manner. Arsenal fans even responded by chanting that Webb was not fit to be a referee when they were denied one decision, which speaks volumes about how angered Liverpool fans felt as Chamberlain was another player who dodged a booking.

Henderson was not brought on till late into the second half after a couple of mistakes from Flanagan, but it must be said that Joe Allan is a waste of that red shirt. Yesterday, as in many Liverpool games, Allen contributed nothing, chasing the ball and making poor passes. The Liverpool defence is definitely something which fans have wanted to be improved for some time with Johnson and Agger also rumoured to be leaving at the end of the summer.

Brad Jones did have a very good game and many Liverpool fans will praise the keeper despite allowing 2 goals to roll past him. Mignolet had a good start to the season but has definitely gained a reputation for flapping and as a result made stupid mistakes as he stays firmly within his box at all times.

Brendan Rodgers called the Suarez decision a blatant penalty, as many Arsenal fans would have probably agreed. Reds skipper Gerrard called the challenge a ‘stonewall penalty’. Liverpool played very well and shall continue to concentrate on achieving a top 4 position in the Premier League, with many hoping to eliminate Arsenal in the race as they face a tough month.

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