Jurgen Klopp was in disbelief over a VAR decision late in stoppage time which denied Liverpool a penalty during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, March 10.
The affair in question saw Jeremy Doku raised his foot to control a bouncing ball and follow through into the chest of the incoming Alexis Mac Allister who tumbled to the floor inside the penalty area.
Doku won the ball first and the video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to overturn the on-field decision of no penalty meaning the English Premier League title rivals settled for a point each.
However, Jurgen Klopp blasted the officials after his side were denied a penalty in the closing stages of their match against the Cityzens.
The two clubs enjoyed periods of dominance throughout the game, but it was the Reds that were on the front foot towards the end of the match.
Despite the lack of first-team players in the team due to fitness issues, they took the fight to City and had several wonderful chances to bag a winner late on.
Luis Diaz should have put his side (Liverpool) in front, with a couple of beautiful chances, but he failed to make them count.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Klopp was excited about the high quality of the match claiming that Liverpool’s second-half performance was the best he had ever seen against a Pep Guardiola's side.
Klopp further fumed at VAR's error of not awarding a penalty in the last minute after Doku fouled World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
He admitted that he spoke to referee Michael Oliver at full-time, and thought it was a clear penalty.
The German tactician also spoke out about VAR's lack of action and questioned why it was in place if it wasn't going to be used correctly, before going on to claim that anyone who didn't think the challenge was a foul wasn't a real football fan.
Klopp said; "Isn’t (VAR) there for just making the right decision and not thinking about how high the bar is to overturn and find the right decision?"
"This situation in all the positions on the pitch is 100% a foul. It’s 100% a foul and it’s a yellow card. He hit the ball yes but he can only hit the ball as his foot is right there (too high). If the ball is not there he kills him, the foot has nothing to do with it. It’s as easy as that".
"For all football people on the plan, it’s a penalty and if you think it’s not one, maybe you’re not a football person.
"All the people with iPads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase if it is unclear".
He added; "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".
Since the two clubs played a draw, Arsenal are currently the League leaders sharing the same point with Liverpool who are second with one point above second place Man City.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have managed to defeat only one side among the Premier League big six so far this season.
It all ended in a draw in their games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, only Manchester United failed to settle for a win or draw against the Citizens.
What's next for Man City and Liverpool?
Man City will shift attention to their next match in the FA Cup quarter-finals where they'll battle Newcastle United on Saturday, March 16. While Liverpool will host Sparta Praha in the Europa League round of 16 second leg tie on Thursday, March 14.
The affair in question saw Jeremy Doku raised his foot to control a bouncing ball and follow through into the chest of the incoming Alexis Mac Allister who tumbled to the floor inside the penalty area.
Doku won the ball first and the video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to overturn the on-field decision of no penalty meaning the English Premier League title rivals settled for a point each.
However, Jurgen Klopp blasted the officials after his side were denied a penalty in the closing stages of their match against the Cityzens.
The two clubs enjoyed periods of dominance throughout the game, but it was the Reds that were on the front foot towards the end of the match.
Despite the lack of first-team players in the team due to fitness issues, they took the fight to City and had several wonderful chances to bag a winner late on.
Luis Diaz should have put his side (Liverpool) in front, with a couple of beautiful chances, but he failed to make them count.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Klopp was excited about the high quality of the match claiming that Liverpool’s second-half performance was the best he had ever seen against a Pep Guardiola's side.
Klopp further fumed at VAR's error of not awarding a penalty in the last minute after Doku fouled World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
He admitted that he spoke to referee Michael Oliver at full-time, and thought it was a clear penalty.
The German tactician also spoke out about VAR's lack of action and questioned why it was in place if it wasn't going to be used correctly, before going on to claim that anyone who didn't think the challenge was a foul wasn't a real football fan.
Klopp said; "Isn’t (VAR) there for just making the right decision and not thinking about how high the bar is to overturn and find the right decision?"
"This situation in all the positions on the pitch is 100% a foul. It’s 100% a foul and it’s a yellow card. He hit the ball yes but he can only hit the ball as his foot is right there (too high). If the ball is not there he kills him, the foot has nothing to do with it. It’s as easy as that".
"For all football people on the plan, it’s a penalty and if you think it’s not one, maybe you’re not a football person.
"All the people with iPads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase if it is unclear".
He added; "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".
Since the two clubs played a draw, Arsenal are currently the League leaders sharing the same point with Liverpool who are second with one point above second place Man City.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have managed to defeat only one side among the Premier League big six so far this season.
It all ended in a draw in their games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, only Manchester United failed to settle for a win or draw against the Citizens.
What's next for Man City and Liverpool?
Man City will shift attention to their next match in the FA Cup quarter-finals where they'll battle Newcastle United on Saturday, March 16. While Liverpool will host Sparta Praha in the Europa League round of 16 second leg tie on Thursday, March 14.