'Lookman the only innocent person' - Liverpool icon blames two players, Atalanta coach for penalty miss

In the wake of Atalanta's disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League, a heated debate has emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding Ademola Lookman’s missed penalty in their 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge. 

The incident has not only sparked outrage among fans but has also drawn sharp criticism from Liverpool legend Steve Nicol, who has placed the blame on the designated penalty taker, the team captain and manager Gian Piero Gasperini rather than Lookman himself.

During the match, Lookman scored shortly after halftime, giving Atalanta a glimmer of hope. 

However, his failure to convert a penalty in the 61st minute proved to be a turning point in the game. 

Following the loss, Gasperini publicly lambasted Lookman, referring to him as 'one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen' and expressing frustration that he took the spot-kick instead of the designated taker Charles De Ketelaere.

Nicol, appearing on ESPN FC, defended Lookman against Gasperini's criticisms. 

"There’s no need for what he added on. All he had to say was he wasn’t supposed to take it. That’s all Gasperini had to say," Nicol stated, emphasizing that the focus should be on the decision-making of the player who was supposed to take the penalty. 

He continued, "At the same time, the man who was supposed to take the penalty, if I’m the coach he’s my first port of call, ‘Why are you not taking the penalty? I’ve told you you’re the penalty taker.’"

Nicol also highlighted the responsibility of the team captain, Rafael Tolói, in ensuring that the correct player stepped up to take the crucial kick. 

"The second port of call is the captain; you’re the captain for a reason, so on the field, when I can’t get anybody’s ear, then you follow my instructions,” he explained.

Ultimately, Nicol concluded that Lookman was not at fault for the situation. 

"Quite honestly, the only person who is innocent to me is Lookman himself because if the guy who’s meant to take it doesn’t take it, somebody else has to take it, so Lookman said I’ll take it,” he said, reinforcing the idea that Lookman was merely reacting to a chaotic moment on the pitch.

Further elaborating on the scenario, Nicol stated, "Lookman’s actually an innocent bystander here. It’s the guy who was supposed to take it (De Ketelaere) and the captain on the field (Tolói)." 

He criticized Gasperini for not addressing the situation sooner. "I never saw the game, but with the amount of time Gasperini should have done something because you’re 100 percent looking to make sure as a coach that the right guy is taking it," he remarked.

Nicol’s remarks have sparked a broader discussion about accountability in team dynamics, especially in high-stakes matches. 

As Atalanta reflects on their early exit from the Champions League, the internal conflicts and leadership challenges brought to light by Lookman's penalty miss will likely remain a focal point as they aim to regroup and refocus for the remainder of the season. 

Nicol's defense of Lookman emphasizes the importance of communication and clarity within the squad, which could prove essential as they navigate future challenges on the pitch.

Wale Adejumo

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