Liverpool’s boss Jurgen Klopp gave his reaction on Jeremy Doku karate kick on Alexis Mac Allister
Following a dramatic 1-1 draw between the two teams, Jurgen Klopp declared that he will “never forget” Liverpool’s effort against Manchester City. However, the German manager was incensed that the Reds were not awarded a late penalty when Jeremy Doku collided with Alexis Mac Allister.
John Stones gave City the lead in a commanding first half, but Mac Allister’s penalty kick shortly after the break gave Liverpool an equalizer.
Following that, Klopp praised the attacking display as one of his finest as a coach.
Both teams had chances to win the game but Klopp was left baffled when his team were not awarded another spot-kick in the last seconds when City’s Belgian winger Doku caught Mac Allister with a high boot in the penalty area.
‘Would you have given a penalty in that situation,’ Klopp asked Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davidson in a bizarre change of roles, who replied: ‘I’m not surprised VAR didn’t overturn it, because of the high bar with the off-field official not wanting to re-referee the match.
Klopp hit back and said: ‘This situation on all positions on the pitch is 100 per cent a foul and it’s a yellow card. (Doku) hit the ball but he could only hit the ball because his foot was right there. If the ball is not there, he kills him!
‘It’s as easy as that. You will find people – you employ Mike Dean, he works for Sky? Congratulations, that’s a great appointment by the way – he will find something. It’s a penalty for all football people on the planet.’
The manager later added: ‘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 today.
Jurgen Klopp asks a Sky Sports reporter first about his thoughts before going on a weird rant about how Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty kick during injury time for Jeremy Doku’s challenge!
Following a dramatic 1-1 draw between the two teams, Jurgen Klopp declared that he will “never forget” Liverpool’s effort against Manchester City. However, the German manager was incensed that the Reds were not awarded a late penalty when Jeremy Doku collided with Alexis Mac Allister.
John Stones gave City the lead in a commanding first half, but Mac Allister’s penalty kick shortly after the break gave Liverpool an equalizer.
Following that, Klopp praised the attacking display as one of his finest as a coach.
‘Today I saw the best 53 minutes we had against Manchester City. It was exceptional how we played, and important as well that we learned that about ourselves as well. If you play football like that against City, that is a statement… and I love that. You get a point for it, fine, keep going.
‘I have wonderful memories of these kinds of things, I’ll never forget that now. Whoever plays in the future against Manchester City I’ll think, ‘Yeah, we did it a little bit better”. Forget the ref, I’m here to talk about football.
‘We showed we’re ready to fight as long as the race goes and I love that the most. Arsenal is firing on all cylinders, City is City. So for us it is probably a little bit like, “How did we get through all that?”, that we are still there.’
After the enthralling game, Klopp joked he is looking forward to life on the other side when he can watch these matches from the stands. Asked if the game would tempt him to change his mind on leaving, he added: ‘No, no, obviously I didn’t explain well enough!
‘I will miss these things of course but I miss my whole life. What kind of guy would I be if I say I don’t like that? Watching the game in the stands, I saw my Mrs after the game and she was buzzing, so it must be good to watch. That’s nice, maybe that’s my role from now on!’