ANFIELD — Jurgen Klopp was in disbelief after Liverpool were denied a “100 per cent penalty” in the 99th minute of an epic clash with Manchester City.
VAR inexplicably failed to intervene when the City substitute Jeremy Doku raised a high boot on Liverpool’s goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister in injury time of the 1-1 draw at Anfield – leaving the Reds boss bemused.
i understands that the official explanation given to Liverpool is that, following a review, VAR found that Doku played the ball.
But Klopp was unconvinced. “It was 100 per cent penalty. They will find an explanation. It was 100 per cent a foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card,” he said.
“All the people with iPads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase it is not clear and obvious.
“Why would the guy in the VAR studio think that is not clear and obvious? What must you have for lunch if you think that is not clear and obvious? I’m really not angry, it’s just the situation. It’s fine. I’m so happy about the way we played.
“It is, of course, a penalty but we didn’t get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. I saw so many sensational performances.”
Indeed, Klopp hailed his team’s performance as one of the best of his entire time at Anfield and “the best we have played against Manchester City” – rare praise given they didn’t actually come away with three points. But he feels that the display stands them in good stead for the run-in of what promises to be an epic three-way title race.
For his part, Guardiola likened Liverpool’s press to a “tsunami” and said he was satisfied that his side had managed to earn a point against high calibre opponents.
He replaced Kevin De Bruyne in the second half and the Belgium international was clearly upset, but Guardiola dismissed any concerns about his reaction.
“Now he’s happy, no problem. I like it. If he’s upset, it’s good,” he said. “I made the decision because I knew what we were missing and we missed keeping the ball.
“We could not have it with him and Bernie [Silva] and John [Stones], and after we did it better. What can I say for Kevin? We need it and we need him and it’s really important.”
Guardiola, whose side are chasing a fourth successive Premier League crown and a sixth in seven years, is pleased to be involved in another title race.
“Still there are 10 games to go, 30 points to play for, one point difference. The important thing is still we are there.”
