Linesman 'celebrates' Tottenham penalty call

Cape Town - Eagle-eyed Liverpool supporters believe they caught referee's assistant Eddie Smart "celebrating" after Tottenham Hotspur were awarded their first of two controversial penalties in a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Referee John Moss made the call to award Tottenham the penalty after consulting with linesman Smart on whether Harry Kane had been played onside by defender Dejan Lovren.

After a lengthy discussion Moss awarded the penalty with Smart appearing to celebrate the decision by clenching his fist. Kane's resulting spot-kick was saved by Loris Karius but substitute Victor Wanyama drew the visitors level late on in the game.

Mohamed Salah restored Liverpool's lead in stoppage-time but in the final seconds, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk nudged over Erik Lamela leading to Moss giving Spurs a second penalty, with Kane this time converting from the spot.

A furious Jurgen Klopp confronted Moss on the pitch at full-time and still hadn't calmed down when he spoke to the media.

"A situation in the last minute like that? Wow. He (the official) wanted to be middle of interest and he is.

"It was clear two sides (of) high quality both wanted to win desperately, but the result was massively influenced by linesman decisions.

"We have to take it, that's how it is."

Linesman 'celebrates' Tottenham penalty call#LIVTOT https://t.co/ju3hS9SfXb pic.twitter.com/X3ivbx1HLY

— Sport24News (@Sport24news) February 5, 2018

Very obvious that the linesman in the #LIVTOT game was celebrating the fact that he'd got the call right. Same way a player would celebrate if he'd scored or saved a peno. An official taking pride in his ability, good to see.

— Conor Burns (@cburns1989) February 5, 2018

MOTD didn't do the match officials any favours especially as we could hear what was said, and to see the linesman celebrate the penalty award wasn't good, meant to be impartial aren't they ??? #LFC #YNWA

— andy beagan (@andylfc8) February 4, 2018

Not into the whole "conspiracy" thing, but never seen a Premier League linesman celebrate a penalty decision as happened today. And as for Moss, he absolutely loves to be the centre of attention on TV.

— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) February 4, 2018