- Hien was allowed to stay on the field despite being penalised for handball
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Peter Crouch revealed he was 'left screaming' when Isak Hien was allowed to remain on the pitch in Atalanta's crunch clash against Liverpool.
The Reds were up against it in their bid to reach the last four of the Europa League, having lost the first leg 3-0 in a surprise defeat at Anfield last week.
They were given hope through an early goal from Mohamed Salah, but found it hard to break their opponents down again and their hopes of qualification faded the longer the game went on.
Their chances would perhaps have been helped had French referee Francois Letexier sent Hien off just before half time when he handles a pass through to Luis Diaz.
Crouch, speaking on TNT Sports, revealed that he was shocked a red card wasn't shown, but did somewhat understand the decision.
Peter Crouch revealed that he 'was screaming for a red carl' against Isak Hien in Atalanta's clash with Liverpool
The home team centre back was penalised for a handball as Mohamed Salah played the ball through to Luis Diaz
The Reds players appealed immediately, with the defender shown a yellow card but allowed to stay on the pitch
Crouch revealed his shock that only a yellow card was shown but mentioned that he did somewhat understand the decision
'I was screaming for a red card straightaway,' the ex-Reds striker said. 'You can see he leans into the ball.
'It's a definite move of the arm. I think Diaz is going in here, I think he takes a touch across him. I think that should be a red card. He leans right into it. I don't think the player on the right is covering him.
'I can see why he's not given it because the defender is coming across to cover and I think he thinks he might get there. But he's so good, Diaz, at taking it across defenders.'
The likes of Salah and Virgil van Dijk surrounded the referee, with the interception seemingly preventing Diaz from running through on goal.
Hien was shown a yellow card, and VAR confirmed the on-field call. Social media, however, echoed Crouch's views.
'That's a blatant red card for the Atalanta defender,' one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter. 'Deliberately stuck his arm out to block the ball, Diaz was clean through if he didn't do it. Come on...'
Another wrote: 'Liverpool unlucky that wasn't a red card for the Atalanta defender. Handballs it to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity for Diaz.'
A third posted: 'That's cynical from the Atalanta defender who knows what he's doing with the deliberate handball.'
Atalanta lost 1-0 on the night but progressed with a 3-1 aggregate win following their success at Anfield
Fans on social media agreed with Crouch's view that Hien should have seen red for the handball
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rolled the dice several times in a bid to claw the remaining two goals back, but found clear-cut chances once again hard to come by in Italy.
The final whistle triggered ecstatic scenes from the home fans, and the Reds will now put all their eggs in the Premier League basket as they look to end Klopp's farewell tour with a league title.
They will face Fulham in league action on Sunday.
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