The FA is set to employ a lip reader as part of their ongoing investigation into an incident between Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Arsenal defender Gabriel during Sunday’s clash. Arsenal’s statement win was somewhat marred by headlines focusing on a heated altercation between the pair late in the game.
Bukayo Saka profited from Thiago Alcantara bringing Gabriel Jesus down in the box to fire home the decisive penalty in a 3-2 triumph at the Emirates Stadium. The three points, Arsenal’s eighth in nine Premier League games this season, helped them leapfrog Manchester City and return to the top of the table.
But a mass coming-together over that penalty decision, during which Gabriel appeared to react angrily to something Henderson said, has emerged as the primary talking point. Referee Michael Oliver spoke to both managers after cooling the situation on the pitch down and has since been central to the following review.
According to Sky Sports, the FA is reviewing Oliver’s report after he asked both players for observations of the incident in line with its and PHMOL’s protocols. The governing body is also gathering its own information from Henderson and Gabriel, as is natural at the first stage of any potential disciplinary process.
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It remains to be seen whether the FA will open a full-scale investigation into the incident, keeping tight-lipped with statements on the matter so far. But it’s likely to hire a lip reader to work alongside as it reviews all available TV footage alongside seeking eyewitness accounts from players, supporters and staff involved.
The report adds that initial enquiries are expected to take several days as the FA gathers information on what unfolded around the 75th minute in north London. Both Henderson and Gabriel should continue representing their respective clubs while the inquiry is ongoing.
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Liverpool players were enraged by Oliver’s penalty decision, and Klopp, too, was sceptical. After watching his side slip down to 10th in the Premier League with just two wins from eight games, he suggested Jesus dived for the spot-kick.
He told Sky Sports: “If I see the situation back… if there was contact – and I’m not sure there was contact, but there might have been soft contact – the player [Jesus] was again on both feet and then down. That’s an indication that something might have been made up – but not for the refs.”
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