‘Daydreaming’ linesman ‘fails to see Derby keeper miles off his line for penalty’

On Nov 10, 2022

A ‘daydreaming’ linesman was accused of failing to notice Derby County’s keeper Joe Wildsmith miles off his line before saving Liverpool star Stefan Bajcetic’s penalty.

The Carabao Cup tie was decided on penalties after the Reds and the Rams drew a blank in normal time. Reds stopper Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero on the night, saving three spot-kicks, and breaking two club records in the process.

The 23-year-old’s rapid reflexes means he’s now saved more penalties than any other Liverpool keeper, and his fourth shootout win is the most in the Reds’ history, in what was the Irishman’s 18th appearance for the Kop giants.

ALSO READ: ‘Daydreaming’ linesman ‘fails to see Derby keeper miles off his line for penalty’

But Kelleher’s opposite number was noticed for his controversial antics at the start of the spot-kick showdown. Rams stopper Wildsmith did his best to distract Reds youngster Bajcetic with some erratic movements, which culminated in the keeper being well off his line when the shot was taken from the spot.

Wildsmith’s wildness did the trick as he saved Bajcetic’s effort despite the shocking contravention which went bizarrely unnoticed by the linesman who had a clear view of the incident.

Kelleher even protested to the official before conceding the Reds’ first penalty to David McGoldrick, in the shootout that ended 3-2 to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Do you think the linesman was daydreaming for failing to spot Derby’s keeper off his line? Let us know in the comments section below.

Wildsmith was miles off his line when he stopped Stefan Bajcetic’s penalty in the Carabao Cup shoot-out
(Image: Paul Greenwood/REX/Shutterstock)

But the linesman allowed play to continue as Derby drew first blood in the shoot-out
(Image: Getty Images)

And fans were in disbelief after the linesman refused to penalise Wildsmith’s for his actions and allow the penalty to be re-taken.

One fan raged on Twitter under a clip of the incident posted by The Redmen TV: “Paused your clip, a yard off and he’s not even got to the ball yet!!!

Another supporter gave his opinion on what the linesman was thinking, saying: “Probably daydreaming about what he’s getting from maccies on his way home.”

But the linesman’s inaction didn’t matter in the end as Liverpool ran out 3-2 winners in the spot-kick spectacle
(Image: Paul Greenwood/REX/Shutterstock)

Reds keeper Kelleher was the star of the show – saving three penalties on the night
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE

A third fan desperately demanded to know why the official was even there if he wasn’t going to do his job properly, and fumed: “Someone, anyone, please tell me what is the point of these officials. I’ve never once seen them make a single call. He even told the keeper off for it afterwards so why didn’t it get retaken?”.

Wildsmith was later seen well off his line again when Darwin Nunez converted his penalty for the Reds. However, luckily for Liverpool, the referee’s sidekick’s decision wasn’t detrimental as Harvey Elliot clinched victory for them with his effort.

Klopp will be hoping the Reds can bring their fighting spirit into Saturday’s Premier League match against Southampton, who will be led out by new manager Nathan Jones.

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