Liverpool’s Klopp blasts ref for denying late City penalty\u060c<\/p>\n
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool were denied a clear penalty and asked what VAR official Stuart Attwell had “for lunch” after Alexis Mac Allister was subjected to a chest-high challenge in the 99th minute by Manchester City's J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Mac Allister's second-half penalty, following a foul by City goalkeeper \u00c9derson on Darwin N\u00fa\u00f1ez, earned Liverpool a point after John Stones had given the champions a first-half lead.<\/p>\n
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)<\/strong><\/p>\n But Liverpool might have had the chance to win<\/a> the match right into stoppage time if referee Michael Oliver had been asked by VAR manager Attwell to review Doku's challenge.<\/p>\n The incident was assessed by Attwell and assistant VAR Nick Hopton, but Oliver was not sent to the pitchside monitor to make the final decision.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would the guy in the VAR room think it\u2019s not clear and obvious?\u201d \u00bb said Klopp. \u201cWhat did he eat for lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n “It was a 100 percent penalty. They [officials] will find an explanation. It was a 100% foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card.<\/p>\n “Someone tell me it wasn't a penalty, or Howard [Webb, head of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd.] he will call me tomorrow and tell me he is sorry. These are both possible outcomes and both things will not change the outcome.<\/p>\n “Everyone around me who had an iPad was like, 'Wow, that's clear.' Maybe they can hide behind the phrase 'it's not clear and obvious.'<\/p>\n “It's of course a penalty but we didn't get it and that's great. The most important thing for me is that we can play football<\/a> like this. I saw so many sensational performances today. “<\/p>\n This draw puts Liverpool one point ahead of City, but one point behind leader Arsenal in the title race. City face Arsenal at the Etihad on March 31.<\/p>\n