Klopp alleges Liverpool were denied clear penalty in draw against Man City

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10/03/2024 20h40

In a post-match interview, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed his frustration over a controversial decision made during the team's 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Anfield. Klopp believed that his team was denied a "clear penalty" late into second-half added time when City winger Jeremy Doku collided with Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area.

The incident occurred when Doku appeared to connect with the ball but followed through into Mac Allister's chest. Despite a VAR check, no further action was taken, much to Klopp's dismay. The Liverpool manager argued that the situation warranted a foul and a yellow card. He emphasized that if the ball hadn't been there, Doku's contact could have seriously injured Mac Allister.

Klopp further expressed his disbelief at the decision, highlighting that to all football people, it was an obvious penalty. He called into question the judgment of those in the VAR studio, wondering what more evidence they needed to consider it a clear and obvious penalty.

During the broadcast of the match, VAR Stuart Atwell was quoted as saying that Doku played the ball in a reasonable position, suggesting his judgment was based on a different interpretation of the incident.

The laws of the game define a foul as an action considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force. Klopp's argument is based on the belief that Doku's challenge was reckless or using excessive force, putting Mac Allister in danger.

While Klopp expressed his disappointment with the decision, he also acknowledged that it would not change the final result of the match. Both teams had their moments, with City taking the lead through John Stones in the 23rd minute and Mac Allister equalizing for Liverpool shortly after half-time via a penalty.

The draw means that Arsenal will remain at the top of the Premier League until after the March international break. Liverpool's next match is against Sparta Prague in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie at Anfield on Thursday.

The incident highlights the ongoing debate around VAR decisions and the interpretation of fouls in football. Whether or not Liverpool were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty remains a point of contention, but it serves as a reminder that refereeing decisions can have a significant impact on match outcomes.

Regardless of the controversy, Klopp is determined to move on, focusing on the team's upcoming fixtures and looking forward to an exciting clash against Arsenal at the Etihad on March 31.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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