Liverpool fan throws ball at Daniel Munoz’s head as purpose controversy boils over

Daniel Munoz scored late into Crystal Palace’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, with tensions inside the stadium bubbling over in the aftermath

Daniel Munoz was hit in the head by a ball thrown by a Liverpool fan in the closing stages of Crystal Palace’s 3-1 loss at Anfield.

You could cut the tension with a knife inside Anfield as the full-back stepped over to take a throw in for his team, the Reds seeing a 2-0 lead at the time eaten into thanks to Munoz scoring in controversial fashion just moments earlier.

Boos rang out around the ground as angry spectators lambasted Munoz, while a spare ball was thrown towards him – hitting the back of his head.

As he turned to confront fans on the other side of the advertising hoardings, the Colombian was met with numerous gestures before referee Andy Madley walked over to have a word with him.

Maxence Lacoix also came over to support his team-mate, before Munoz took the throw in and play continued. It comes after Munoz’s goal against Liverpool was met with jeers, given the fashion in which he scored it.

Ismaila Sarr was one on one with Freddie Woodman before striking from point-blank range, with the Liverpool shot-stopper saving the shot with his leg.

Woodman immediately lay on the ground in some pain as he looked to have jarred his knee in the process, before the ball landed at the feet of Munoz on the edge of the area.

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While Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister raised their arms in the air hoping for a halt to play, given their goalkeeper was lying on the turf, the referee’s whistle didn’t come.

Munoz then took the opportunity to dink the ball over the Liverpool backline and into the back of the net before wheeling off in celebration – his goal standing despite protests from a number of Reds players.

Arne Slot was also spotted furious on the touchline, the Dutchman also feeling as though play should have been paused so Woodman could receive treatment.

While Armin Pecsi prepared to take to the field in place of Woodman, the third-choice goalkeeper was ultimately able to continue after medical treatment.

It comes as Liverpool were able to take all three points from their match with Palace on home soil, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak, Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz.

However, the match wasn’t without its shortcomings for the Premier League giants.

Mohamed Salah needed to be replaced just 15 minutes into the second-half, seemingly struggling with one of his hamstrings. Jeremie Frimpong was deployed in his place, although there are fears that it could come as Salah’s last outing in the red of Liverpool.

The Egyptian forward announced that he will leave his club of nine years at the end of the season, as the Reds look to settle into life without their talisman.

And should Salah be sidelined for his club’s upcoming matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford, fans may have seen him play his final game.