Jermaine Pennant says he laughed when he heard ‘pathetic’ stoppage time theory at Liverpool

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Jermaine Pennant has shared his verdict on a stoppage time theory emerging at Liverpool at the beginning of the season.

Hugo Ekitike will miss the Crystal Palace clash after he took off his shirt during the celebrations of his 85th minute match-winner against Southampton resulting in a second yellow card.

The Frenchman’s goal was Liverpool’s seventh scored after the 80th minute across the opening seven matches played in all competitions.

It has become a running theme and serious cause for concern at Anfield that the Reds have been forced to rely on so many decisive goals scored in the final minutes.

And after the match officials awarded only three minutes of stoppage time during Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Everton, ex-Reds star Pennant has shared his verdict on a theory put forward by rival supporters.

Jermaine Pennant slams stoppage time theory

When discussing the theory on talkSPORT, Pennant slammed the claims that the Reds are given extra time to find match-winning goals this season and said this is attributed to opposition time-wasting.

“I saw this and I was just laughing. I was thinking this is just pathetic. They go back to the Newcastle game when there’s, I think, 10 minutes maybe added on. But what people are forgetting, the ball was in play for 40 minutes in the Newcastle game, that was the lowest of all of until, we don’t know like years.

So for 40 minutes, that ball’s only in play. That means something’s either stoppage, it’s out, there’s, there’s substitutions, there’s VAR looking at um, looking at the reason why it’s not. That’s why in games there’s times added on. Not because it’s Liverpool. It’s because there’s either stupid VAR decisions that they’re taking two minutes to look at.

The balls out of play, goalkeepers are time-wasting, free kicks here and there. It all plays into – so when teams do this, they think they’re getting away. They think they’re rolling the clock down. No. All the referee does is press the button. He’s got two watches. When they press, stop. That’s all they do. So teams are thinking they’re being clever.”

Rio Ngumoha’s goal against Newcastle United which cemented the 17-year-old in the Premier League history books was scored in the tenth minute of stoppage time at St James’ Park.

Liverpool have developed a knack for finding a way as the clock ticks down, but opposition supporters believe the officials are giving the champions the appropriate time to do so.

However, following Dominik Szoboszlai’s “incredible” free kick in the 1-0 win against Arsenal, the officials awarded seven minutes of additional time for the Gunners to find an equaliser.

Furthermore, the same amount of stoppage time was given during the Reds’ 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League after Virgil van Dijk restored the lead in the 92nd minute.

David Moyes reacted to “unbelievable” stoppage time in Merseyside derby

The most notable talking point among opposition supporters is the three minutes of additional time seen during the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Many believe that the officials should have awarded extra time after multiple stoppages throughout the 90 minutes, with Everton trailing by a single goal.

David Moyes added fuel to the fire when he questioned the decision during his post-match interview following the Blues’ defeat.

“Three minutes was very strange. Every quick free-kick had to be stopped and brought back for the whistle, and then we get a booking for it. I find it quite unbelievable.”