Wolves were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool on Saturday, but one incident in the game has now come under the microscope.
Gary O’Neil watched his side lose for the fifth time in the Premier League this season, as Ibrahima Konate and Mo Salah sent Liverpool to the top of the table.
Rayan Ait-Nouri equalised in the second-half for Wolves to give hope. But Liverpool cancelled that goal out almost immediately.
Diogo Jota went down under a challenge from Nelson Semedo, with Salah making no mistake from the spot.
Jota, formerly of Wolves of course, was involved in an incident in the 35th minute of the game that left former Premier League striker Dean Ashton horrified.
Dean Ashton says Diogo Jota should have been sent off for Liverpool against Wolves
There were some positives about Wolves’ performance against Liverpool, who look like they could well challenge for the Premier League title this season.
The Reds were not at their best at Molineux though, and there is a sense of frustration that Wolves did not make the most of their good periods in the game.
Jota had a hand in both goals for Liverpool.
But Dean Ashton believes the Portuguese should not even have been on the field to make such a big impact in the game.
In the 35th minute, the forward tangled with Wolves captain Mario Lemina, raking the midfielder’s calf before standing on the ankle.
Lemina required treatment as Jota was given a yellow card.
Ashton said on Sky Sports earlier today: “I think this is (a red card). That breaks your ankle, that. I think that’s a horrible challenge, not meant.
“I think he’s slightly out of control Jota. It’s unfortunate in the way the foot lands. But it’s landed right on his ankle from behind where your foot is in an awkward position. That is where you have a serious, serious injury.
“For me, I would look at that and go ‘They’re the sort of things I would like to not see in the game at the moment’. Just from looking, that’s just a horrible challenge to be on the end of.”
Jota was lucky, and so was Lemina
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There was obviously no intent from Jota, but it was definitely a nasty challenge and the Liverpool man was lucky not to get a red card.
Ultimately, he has endangered the safety of Lemina, who was also lucky himself that he did not seriously injure his ankle.
Watching it back, it is somewhat surprising that Lemina was actually able to carry on and play the full game.
Ashton’s verdict was so well put, he even had former referee Dermot Gallagher – who had firmly said that it was not a red card offense initially – accepting that Jota was a tad fortunate.
That Jota was not dismissed did not come as much of a surprise at the time to Wolves fans, who have seen their side fall foul of VAR many times over the last couple of years.