Jeremy Doku followed through on Alexis Mac Allister’s chest (Picture: Getty)
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said Jeremy Doku was ‘very fortunate’ after appearing to catch Alexis Mac Allister in the chest in the dying moments of Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
Mac Allister, arguably at fault for John Stones’ opening goal, levelled from the spot in the 50th minute after Ederson had scythed down Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez in the penalty area.
The visitors, last year’s treble winners, withstood a flurry of late attacks from Liverpool and the points were shared between the two title rivals, meaning Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table after 28 games.
However, the Reds were denied the chance to seal all three points deep into stoppage time as City winger Doku followed through on Mac Allister’s chest after crashing the ball against post just minutes earlier with a left-footed strike.
The challenge was cleared after a VAR intervention but former Manchester United defender Gary Neville – providing co-commentary for Sky Sports – claimed the Belgian was a ‘lucky boy’ as he watched back replays of the incident, while Dean felt ‘it could be a penalty’ on first viewing.
‘I can’t think he’s touched the ball, Doku, and the follow through – he’s caught him right in the chest,’ former official Dean said before VAR checked the challenge.
‘For me, it could be a penalty.
‘It’s a massive decision by the VAR, he’s got a tiny touch on the ball with the follow through full on the ribcage.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Stuart [Attwell] sends Michael Oliver to the screen.’
Mac Allister collapsed in a heap after Doku’s challenge (Picture: Getty)
Once the incident was checked, Dean added: ‘The check is complete.
‘Obviously he played the ball first and the follow through, I’m guessing, they’re saying is a normal coming together.
‘He’s very, very fortunate in my opinion there, Doku.’
Mac Allister levelled from the spot five minutes into the second half (Picture: Getty)
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports’ Patrick Davison, Klopp said Doku’s challenge was ‘100 per cent’ a foul and appeared to take a swipe at Dean.
Asked whether the penalty shout was the reason he spoke with referee Oliver after the final whistle, Klopp replied: ‘Yeah. I think it’s worth talking about it.
‘It was [a reasonable conversation], maybe you can answer me that!
‘Maybe your opinion is not important, we had that conversation years ago. Would you have given a penalty in that situation?
Klopp’s Liverpool had to settle for a point at Anfield (Picture: Getty)
The Liverpool head coach added: ‘Isn’t VAR there for just making the right decision and not thinking about how high the bar is you have to overturn to find the right decision?
‘I think you agree that this situation, in all the positions on the pitch, is 100 per cent a foul and it’s a yellow card.
‘He hit the ball, yes, but he can only hit the ball because his foot is right there. If the ball is not there, he kills him.
‘Again, you will find people… don’t you employ 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 on the planet. It’s a penalty. If you think it’s not one then maybe you’re not a football fan.’
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