Ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand says there is 'no chance' James Milner's challenge on Fabian Schar in the build up to Liverpool's goal is a foul.
The Reds beat Eddie Howe's side 1-0 at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon following a composed finish from Naby Keita. Liverpool now sit top of the table before title rivals Manchester City are in action against Leeds United later today.
In the build up to the goal, there were shouts for a foul on the Newcastle defender, but play was waved on by referee Andre Marriner and Keita went on to score. VAR looked at the incident and replays showed there was little in it and Milner won the ball.
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Pundits agreed with the referee's decision, as both Ferdinand and former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch say the 36-year-old got a clean connection with the ball.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: "Milner gets there first, Schar's legs are in the tackle. There's no chance it's a foul."
Crouch added: "You can see (Milner) gets his foot on the ball. If anything, Schar kicks the back of his leg. I get that, the follow-through from Milner, but he's not kicked out, it's just the nature of the tackle."
Newcastle boss Howe had little complaints at full time and admitted his side were 'not at their best' against Liverpool.
He said: “If VAR doesn’t intervene, I assume we have nothing to complain about. We were obviously disappointed. In the heart of defence we were light on bodies. I think Liverpool were probably not at their best but we weren’t either and when you play these games you have to be. We competed well but lacked the quality that could have got us a goal."
Keita's strike was his fourth goal of the campaign so far, his last goal came in the 5-0 thumping of Manchester United at Old Trafford back in October.
