Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Liverpool went behind to Southampton just before half-time(Image: Getty Images)

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes that Southampton's opening goal against Liverpool should have been disallowed for an offside in the build-up.

However, Mateus Fernandes pounced ahead of the Reds goalkeeper and poked the ball towards Smallbone, who took a couple of touches before burying a low shot home.

It was a mess from Liverpool's point of view, though the Reds felt as though the goal should not have stood.



Replays showed that Fernandes may have strayed into an offside position in the build-up, and while VAR had a long look at the incident again, they agreed with the on-field decision and the goal counted.

READ MORE:Liverpool vs Southampton LIVE - Salah, Nunez, Smallbone goals, score, commentary streamREAD MORE:PSG make Liverpool intention clear as eight changes made and key man dropped from squad

However, ex-Premier League chief Dean wasn't so sure - and felt that Liverpool were hard done by.

They've obviously checked it the VAR, but I am convinced it's offside.

I don't know but I just think it's offside.

"I have replayed it three or four times and the Southampton player goes to challenge the 'keeper, he tucks it forward and Smallbone's left foot seems to be in front of the defender, unless there is another defender we can't pick up on the TV.

VAR had a look at the tackle again, but agreed with the on-field decision and the Uruguayan was not shown his marching orders.

Dean added: "I think the right decision is yellow, it looks really bad but when you see from another angle it's knee on knee but from the angle from the normal TV camera it looks like he has completely launched him, but he hasn't."