Liverpool fume after being denied a late penalty against title rivals Man City as Jurgen Klopp says it’s 100% a foul from Jeremy Doku.
Jeremy Doku appeared to catch Alexis Mac Allister with a high boot in added time but neither on-field referee Michael Oliver nor VAR Stuart Attwell awarded a spot kick.
According to Sky Sports, the reason VAR decided not to give Liverpool a penalty was because it had been deemed that Doku played the ball.
But Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp expressed frustration of the decision, describing the call as “100 per cent a foul and a yellow card” and “a penalty for all football people”.
Klopp’s full interaction with Sky Sports’ Pat Davidson
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports’ Pat Davidson, Klopp debated about whether the penalty should have been given:
Klopp:Â “It’s worth talking about it. Maybe you can answer me, would you have given a penalty in that situation?”
Davidson:Â “I am not surprised VAR didn’t overturn it.”
Klopp:Â “For the wrong reason that you are not surprised?”
Davidson: “Because of the high bar.”
Klopp: “What is a high bar?”
Davidson: “The high bar, the off-field official not wanting to re-referee the match.”
Klopp:Â “Isn’t it [VAR] there for just making the right decision and not thinking how high a bar you have to overcome to find the right decision?
“This situation, in all positions on the pitch, is 100 per cent a foul. It’s 100 per cent a foul and a yellow card. Because he hit the ball, yes.
“But he could only hit the ball because his foot is right there [high up]. And yes, he hit the ball. But if the ball is not there, he kills him [Mac Allister]. That’s how it is, it’s as easy as that.
“You will find people [who will say it’s not a penalty]. You employed Mike Dean, is he working for Sky? Congratulations that’s a great appointment by the way. He will find something and all the others as well.
“It’s a penalty for all football people. It’s a penalty for people, if you think it’s not one then maybe you’re not a football fan.”
We will miss his grace, his charm, and most of all his humility when JĂźrgen is gone. A true gent of the game pic.twitter.com/agtuJVhGms
â Toni Evans Parody (@ToniEvansParody) March 10, 2024
đŁď¸ “It was a clear foul!”
đĄ Jurgen Klopp couldn’t believe that Liverpool weren’t awarded a penalty for a foul by Jeremy Doku#liverpool | #premierleague pic.twitter.com/p9GPeWMeKj
â Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) March 10, 2024
The draw means Liverpool and Man City dropped points to Arsenal in the title race, leaving the Gunners top of the Premier League table on goal difference with 10 games remaining.
Mike Dean felt Doku was “very, very fortunate” not to concede a spot kick: “It is a massive decision for the VAR. He got a tiny touch on the ball but the follow-through caught him full in the rib cage. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sent the referee to the screen.”
When the check was complete, Dean said: “He played the ball first and I am guessing they’re saying the follow-through is a normal coming together. He is very, very fortunate in my opinion there, Doku.”
 Gary Neville added: “He [Doku] is a very, very lucky boy. I thought he was in trouble.”
Roy Keane: “Klopp makes a good point about Doku getting the ball but his foot is so high. I don’t think there’s any force behind it. So, I think the officials got it right. But he’s a lucky boy.”
Jamie Carragher: “I think he sees Mac Allister coming in and he’s almost trying to pull his foot away. I think if that’s being given on the pitch, it’s not getting overturned.
“But once it’s not given, he’s not gone fully right through with it. I agree with that, but I do think there is an unwritten rule in football where a penalty has to be a bit more.
“When it’s in the box, it has to be a little bit more. He’s lucky but I can see why he’s not given it.”
Micah Richards: “Of course I was worried. I thought he was naĂŻve. If you look at Doku, he could have headed it. Why didn’t he header it out? It’s going to cause drama, but I agree with Carragher.”
Pep Guardiola said: âIt is a game that defined where both clubs have been for many years.
âThis is our opponent and not one time [have they] dropped, maybe one season but always they will be there.
âToday I reflected with the guys what we have done over the years against Jurgenâs team. Give us more credit for what we have done.
âTo us already it was clear. Arsenal last year came back and stayed there for a long time because they are a young team with an exceptional manager.
âThere are still 10 games to play, 30 points to play for, one point difference. Still we are there. That is the important thing.
âBefore the goal we had chances with huge personality in the first half and after it was difficult because they have Endo and MacAllister and extra passes and quality to play before they were maybe more direct,â Pep added.
âWe gave away the penalty and sooner or later in this stadium you have 15 or 20 minutes where itâs like a tsunami.
âThey come for everybody, they have the ball and everything.
âAfter when Mateo [Kovacic] came on we made extra passes, and this is the target. In the first half, itâs not we didnât want it, itâs that theyâre strong in their pressing in this stadium… itâs not easy.
âWe never give away trying to play. With Mateo, John, Rodri and Phil inside we had the quality to keep the ball like we couldnât before.
âWe had our chances, they had their chances and at the end of the game itâs what happened.
âWe talk [about keeping the ball] but sometimes you canât because they are the best team Iâve ever seen at high pressing.
âWe were able to do it in the last two games at the Etihad, we drew.
âBut here it is completely different, the fact of the environment is a reality, and the players know it and the opponents know it. When we are able to do it we never try to forget to play
âThatâs what I like because sometimes itâs difficult.â
This is how fans reacted as Liverpool fume after being denied a late penalty against Man City as Jurgen Klopp says it’s 100% a foul…
@DoctorLFC: It is a blatant penalty. High foot, studs up. What is worse is that it would’ve been given if it was the other way round.
@JHughes4196: I mean⌠only VAR or a city fan would say itâs not a pen because that clearly is
@jack_walker19: VARchester City yet again. Absolutely unbelievable.
@sam_jeffs: Thatâs a free kick every where else on the pitch and potentially a red. Wooton got booked for a challenge that was a hell of a lot worse than that yesterday. Where is the consistency
@teamluca: Cannot believe this isnât deemed a foul⌠regardless of how much contact – surely you canât stud someone in the chest. What is the point of VAR. đ¤ˇââď¸
@iagraham65: Any where else on the field he gets at least a yellow card and Liverpool awarded a free kick. So why is it not a penalty? Fucking VAR is corrupt beyond belief.
@AndyFoxUK: Nailed on penalty. Completely bottled by whoever was on VAR! That could be a title-deciding decision, not good enough if they come out and apologise. As a minimum, it should have been referred to the referee. #LIVMCI
@paulp_123: Disgusting officiating yet again when itâs Liverpool. Thats a stone wall penalty and a red card. You canât play the ball chest high with your boot. Robbed yet again. They need investigating.
@GazMaddo: Liverpool missing alisson, Trent, jota, konate, gravenberch & jones battered a fully fit city team & was robbed at the end of a stone wall penalty. Moments like this cost teams a title and could very well happen again this season. City getting away with it again it seems
@yarwoodD: In slomo it looks worse. He tried to nick the ball away and got a touch. Yeah it’s a high foot but would’ve been harsh. The holding and blocking on corners are far worse and never get punished
@LiamGranby: @FA_PGMOL what the fuck how many time you gonna let this bull shit happen this could cost us in title race we should be 4 points clear at top yer var an ref done us over stonewall pen an red card he hasn’t played the ball high foot if that is giving anyway else its a free kick
@beesleysteve1: Anywhere else on the pitch thatâs given as a foul and yellow card – not even a debate and should have been a pen for Liverpool
@PwWebster: Stone wall penalty. The problem is Mac Allister is wearing a Liverpool shirt, Doku a Man City one. A penalty would have been awarded at any other premier league match this weekend.
@clurrrrxhx: How can people say thatâs not a pen
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