Klopp: VAR fails and we pay penalty
JURGEN KLOPP insisted Liverpool were robbed of a stonewall penalty that could have put them in pole position in the title race.
With the teams level, Manchester City sub Jeremy Doku kicked Alexis Mac Allister in the chest as he tried to clear the ball in the dying moments.
But ref Michael Oliver did not give it while VAR Stuart Attwell did not overturn the decision for a clear and obvious error.
Klopp was left bemoaning the officials as the Anfield draw left Arsenal the real winners as they remained at the summit.
The Reds boss said: “Why would the guy in the VAR studio think that is not clear and obvious – what must you have for lunch to think that?
“And if we win today what are we, four points ahead of City? That is not a distance you should fall asleep. And Arsenal.
“But whatever I think now will not change that. I tried to explain to your colleague who said, ‘Yeah but we have a high bar with VAR’, always an explanation. I think everyone in this room thinks if he whistles a penalty, it is not a scandal.
“He kicks the chest, yes he touches the ball, it is not a red card obviously but I speak so often about it, I really don’t care. Nothing I say will change that.”
Kevin de Bruyne aimed angry words at his manager Pep Guardiola after being replaced by Mateo Kovacic with more than 20 minutes remaining.
But the City boss insisted that it was a positive reaction. Guardiola said: “That’s good. I like it that he’s upset.
“Have a chance next game to prove it (that I was wrong).
“We needed a player who keeps the ball... Kovacic is really good at that.
“We were happy with Kevin. It’s not a problem. We are fine.”
Even though City surrendered a lead by gifting Liverpool a penalty, he was happy with a share of the spoils.
Guardiola – who said he was not sure of the severity of the leg injury sustained when Ederson conceded the penalty that forced him off – added: “For 20 minutes, it was like a tsunami. It is not an easy place. We take that point.”