Owen slams ref for Coloccini red

Veteran Michael Owen believes referee Anthony Taylor was wrong to show Fabricio Coloccini a red card during Newcastle’s draw with Liverpool.

The Magpies were the first on the scoresheet when Yohan Cabaye netted on 43 minutes, but the away side were pegged back thanks to a brilliant equaliser from Luis Suarez midway through the second-half.

A controversial red card for Coloccini on 84 minutes, however, transformed the finely balanced tie into a backs-to-the-wall job for Alan Pardew’s men, and former Liverpool favourite Owen was quick to voice his opinions on the decision.

“Not having that at all. (Coloccini) didn’t touch him and to say there was intent is laughable,” the 32-year-old Stoke striker wrote on Twitter.

“Let me tell you, he kicks a moving ball a thousand times a day and doesn’t miss it once. If he wanted to connect with a standing leg then he wouldn’t have missed.

“He pulls out at the last minute and doesn’t touch him. Not having that’s a red at all.”