Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was baffled by the decision not to award his team a late penalty in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester City on Sunday, while Pep Guardiola praised his players for surviving a second-half “tsunami”.
John Stones gave City the lead midway through the first half when he poked home a Kevin de Bruyne corner before Alexis Mac Allister fired home a second-half penalty to level.
But just before the final whistle, Liverpool were screaming for a penalty to no avail when Jeremy Doku challenged Mac Allister in the box, with his boot catching the Argentine midfielder in the chest.
“Hits him on the chest,” Klopp told reporters. “Does he touch the ball before? Yes. Does that make any difference, on any position on the pitch, if your leg is that high? You can kick the ball before, and after that the foot is here [Klopp points to his chest] and you go off.”
The officials disagreed and the VAR did not send the referee to have a second look after checking the decision.
Klopp said: “Why would the guy in the VAR studio think 'Ah that's not clear and obvious'? What must you have had for lunch if you think that's not clear and obvious?”
The manager insisted, however, that he was already over the controversial moment, even if it comes back to bite Liverpool in the league title race.
“I have to speak so often about it, and I really don't care, I'm already over it, it's absolutely fine. We'd love to get it, yeah, but nothing that I say – at least I learned that – will change that.
“So would have loved to have used one of the massive chances we created. [But] for us, the most important information is we are right there. So, we go the distance. Let's see what we get for it, but the boys fought so hard for absolutely everything to be there.”
While the Anfield thriller lived up to its blockbuster billing, Klopp said the excitement was not enough for him to question his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
“These games are good games, great games, fantastic football games,” Klopp said. “I met my missus after the game and she was completely buzzing. So it must be good fun to watch it from the stands as well.
“So, that's why I'm not sure if I really would miss something when I'm allowed to watch football games. But it was a good game.”
Liverpool v Man City player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Forced into early saves from Alvarez and De Bruyne strikes. Got part of body to Stones’ shot for opener but couldn’t keep it out. Big save from Foden immediately after Liverpool’s goal. Getty Images -
Amazing to think he only made full Premier League debut in January – plays like he’s been in team for years. Turned Ake inside out before sending over low cross just out of Nunez’s reach in first half. Sacrificed in defensive second-half reshuffle by Klopp. PA -
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk challenges Manchester City's Phil Foden during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday March 10, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. -
In for the injured Ibrahima Konate with the unenviable task of trying of trying to stop Haaland and Co but did his team proud from start to finish alongside Van Dijk. Also had shot saved by Ortega at other end of pitch. Getty Images -
Started at left-back but found early going tough against the in-form Foden before limiting the England attacker’s influence. Switched to right-back in second-half and found himself up against another dangerous opponent in the pacy Doku. Reuters -
Started numerous Liverpool counter-attacks by winning possession in centre of park. Fine performance from Japanese midfielder - one of his best in a red shirt. Reuters -
Argentine hit perfect penalty past Brazilian Ederson to level the scores at the start of second half. Forced fine save from Ortega that almost put Liverpool 2-1 in front. Thought he should have had another penalty when caught in chest by high Doku boot. AFP -
Should have levelled scores in first half but sent free header over bar. Had team’s first shot on target just before break with long-range free-kick saved down low by Ederson. Reuters -
Great ball to pick out Szoboszlai but Hungarian failed to finish glorious opportunity. Went quiet for chunk of game but came back to life as Liverpool piled on second-half pressure. PA -
Lost Stones at corner who was then left free to put City in front. Sent flying into air by Ederson to earn Liverpool penalty. Denied goal by Ortega block from close range. AFP -
Had ball in back of net but Nunez caught offside before providing cross. Could have had hat-trick, his worst miss coming when shot wide after being put through one-on-one with keeper, but was Liverpool’s main attacking threat who ran himself into he ground. Getty Images -
SUBS: (On for Szoboszlai 61’) Provided perfect low cross that almost ended with Nunez scoring. AFP -
(On for Bradley 61’) Immediate impact with wonderful ball through to Diaz who should have scored, then miscued shot wide of target himself minutes later. Hit shot from tight angle straight at keeper late in game. AP -
(On for Nunez 76’) Hit post although flag went up for Salah offside. AFP -
MAN CITY RATINGS: Only faced one shot on target in first half. Caught short by poor back-pass that led to him taking down Nunez after break, picking up booking and giving away penalty that Mac Allister scored. Forced off pitch soon after as due to injury picked up in that challenge. Getty Images -
Had Liverpool fans crying out for booking after a of couple first-half challenges. Frustrated at himself after over-hitting one cross that would have given De Bruyne open goal. Busy afternoon trying to keep up with Diaz. AFP -
Turned low De Bruyne corner into back of net at near post in routine straight off training ground. Excellent in his defensive duties in face of intense Liverpool pressure after break. AFP -
Swiss defender started in place of Ruben Diaz and did not put a foot wrong all night. A class act at back and up there with some of City's best signings of recent years at the bargain price of £15m. AFP -
A couple of dicey moments up against Bradley’s pace and was his weak back-pass that led to Ederson giving away second-half penalty – the game-changing moment. Too often left isolated by Alvarez in front of him, though. AFP -
Took yellow card for team after taking down Mac Allister following sloppy Alvarez play. A couple of rare lapses in concentration in amongst the usual brilliance from Spanish midfielder who has now gone 61 games without defeat in City shirt. AFP -
Two chances in opening 10 minutes, one dinked cross turned shot that floated just wide, one blasted too close to keeper who parried away. Cute low corner set-up Stones’ goal. Made it very clear to Guardiola that he was very unhappy about being hooked in second half. AP -
Lost cool in second half after challenge on him by Mac Allister was deemed fair by referee and reacted with two quickfire fouls that earned him booking. Lacking his usual big moments of impact in game. Getty Images -
Started as though he would be game's major figure before influence waned in second half. Denied chance to put City 2-1 up by good Kelleher block. Knew little about hitting bar but keeper had punched ball into his arm, so would not have counted anyway. Reuters -
First big chance came five minutes before break but could only send shot straight at keeper after surging run as Van Dijk did enough to put him off. That was as close as it got for league’s top scorer. AFP -
Drilled shot straight at keeper in opening couple of minutes. Curled effort high over bar just before break after Haaland had picked Van Dijk’s pocket to set up chance. But quiet game and no surprise when he came off after break. AFP -
SUBS: (On for Ederson 56’) Fine save at full-stretch to deny Mac Allister a goal, then blocked Nunez shot from point-blank range. -
(On for De Bruyne 69’) Brought on to add some midfield steel with Liverpool swarming all over City and clearly relished the battle. AFP -
(On for Alvarez 69’) Pace caused problems and was very unlucky with left-footed finish that came back off inside of post and fell straight into keeper’s hands. Caught Mac Allister with high boot late on that neither referee nor VAR deemed worthy of penalty. Reuters
Guardiola, meanwhile, said the riveting match was a testament to the standards set by both clubs in recent years, and the City manager paid tribute to his team for standing firm in an intense atmosphere.
“It is a game that defined where both clubs have been for many years,” Guardiola said. “This is our opponent and not one time [have they] dropped, maybe one season but always they will be there.
“Today I reflected with the guys what we have done over the years against Jurgen’s team. Give us more credit for what we have done. To us already it was clear. Arsenal last year came back and stayed there for a long time because they are a young team with an exceptional manager.
“There are still 10 games to play, 30 points to play for, one point difference. Still, we are there. That is the important thing.”
Guardiola is still to win in front of a crowd at Anfield as City's only victory stretching back to 2003 remains in a behind-closed-doors clash in 2021.
“Before the goal we had chances with huge personality in the first half and after it was difficult because they have [Wataru] Endo and MacAllister and extra passes and quality to play before they were maybe more direct,” Guardiola added.
“We gave away the penalty and sooner or later in this stadium you have 15 or 20 minutes where it’s like a tsunami. We talk [about keeping the ball] but sometimes you can’t because they are the best team I’ve ever seen at high pressing.
“We were able to do it in the last two games at the Etihad, we drew. But here it is completely different, the fact of the environment is a reality, and the players know it and the opponents know it. When we are able to do it we never try to forget to play. That’s what I like because sometimes it’s difficult.”
The result leaves Arsenal top of the table in the tight title race. Liverpool are second on goal difference, while City are third with a point separating the top three teams.
