BREAKING: Liverpool game delayed as referee replaced at halftime after controversial decision

Simon Hooper started Liverpool’s late Saturday match against Brentford as the first official at the Liberty Stadium.

However, he suffered a hamstring injury late in the first half and was forced to pivot to a new role as fourth official for the second. The first half’s fourth official, Tim Robinson, took over for Hooper.

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Hooper was involved in a pair of controversial decisions before halftime. The first was a no-call on a potential foul against Cody Gakpo in the Brentford penalty box in the 44th minute — the Bees went on to score at the other end less than a minute later through Kevin Schade.

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The second was Liverpool’s stoppage time goal, scored in the beginning of the fifth minute of injury time despite only three being initial shown on the fourth official’s board.