Jurgen Klopp has vented his frustration after he felt Liverpool deserved a penalty in the closing stages of their 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
The referee and VAR both deemed Jeremy Doku had not fouled Alexis Mac Allister but Klopp says the officials got it wrong.
Doku caught Mac Allister high on his body deep into second-half stoppage time but referee Michael Oliver waved away claims of a penalty.
VAR looked at the incident but decided that because Doku touched the ball before making contact with Mac Allister, they would not overturn Oliver’s decision.
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp saw his team play out a 1-1 draw against Man City
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But Klopp disagrees and accused VAR of hiding behind the ‘clear and obvious phrase’.
Klopp told the BBC: “It was 100 per cent a penalty. They will find an explanation. It was 100 per cent a foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card.
“All the people with iPads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase that is not clear and obvious.
“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 today.”
City took the lead midway through the first half when John Stones scored from a well-worked Kevin De Bruyne corner.
But the momentum changed when Liverpool were awarded a penalty just after half-time, with Ederson bringing down Darwin Nunez after an under-hit pass from Nathan Ake.
Mac Allister scored the resulting penalty and Liverpool then had the better of the chances before both teams had to settle for a point.
Klopp was full of praise for his team’s performance and said that was more important than any result.
He added: “Sensational. First 10 minutes we were in a bit of a rush and Manchester City were directly there.
“The second half was the best we ever played against Manchester City, definitely.
“They hit the post of course but we should have scored two or three goals. Exceptional football game. Wow!
“For me, we proved today the first time 100 per cent we are exactly where we should be. We will fight for it and see what we can get.
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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp was adamant that Jeremy Doku had fouled Alexis Mac Allister
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“I don’t think I’ve seen them struggling like they were today. We were outstanding.
“The mother of all results is the performance. The good things we have to keep doing.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was awarded man of the match after a strong display at the back.
The Dutchman says the result was ‘bittersweet’ despite starting the game poorly.
Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “Second half was obviously much better than 15-20 minutes in the first half. We should have closed the middle a bit better but we reacted well.
Liverpool news: Alexis Mac Allister had earlier equalised from the spot against Man City
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“We had very good chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get the winner but overall bittersweet.
“Based on the second half you feel we should have won it, but they hit the post as well. It was so close.
“Manchester City has been very successful with the titles they have won and every game we have played against each other have been very intense.
“Every game is so difficult, they have quality all over the pitch and that is why they won the Treble last year. I respect that but the aim for us today was to win the game.
“To come away with a point is not a bad situation and we have to focus on what’s next. We just have to enjoy the ride.”
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