Jurgen Klopp expressed astonishment at the decision not to award Liverpool a late penalty in their 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Despite Alexis Mac Allister equalizing from the penalty spot after John Stones’ initial goal, Jeremy Doku’s high foot catching him in the chest in the box in the closing moments of Sunday’s match did not result in a penalty, even after VAR review upheld referee Michael Oliver’s original decision.
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Excerpts from Jurgen Klopp post match interview.
Klopp on Jeremy Doku’s Challenge on Mac Allister leading to Liverpool’s penalty appeal.
“Yeah (I think it was a penalty) but whatever I think now will not change that,” he said. “I tried to explain to your colleague (referencing a previous post-match interview). He said, ‘Yeah but we have a high bar with VAR.’
“He was not surprised it wasn’t a penalty. There’s always an explanation. I think everyone in this room thinks if he whistles a penalty, it is not a scandal.
“He hits him on the chest. Yes, he touches the ball before. Does that make any difference on any position of the pitch if your leg is that high? You can kick the ball before, after that the foot is here and you go off.
“It is not a red card obviously but I speak so often about it, I really don’t care. I’m already over it, it’s absolutely fine. At least I learn that nothing that I say will change that.”
He continued: “I couldn’t care less what people think to be honest, that is at least the good thing about leaving after the season. If I mention that today, people say other situations as well.
“Yes, it’s true. But just imagine it was all right. Just imagine the crazy situation where, yep, VAR, and it was always the right decision. No, we are constantly discussing something.
“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. But for once I am not moaning. I am just mentioning it.”
Klopp appeared to have regained composure following his initial interview with Sky Sports after the match. However, in his subsequent press conference, he displayed even more intensity in expressing his dissatisfaction over the failure to award Liverpool a penalty.
“I think it’s worth talking about. Would you have given a penalty in that situation?” Klopp asked the reporter.
“You do like putting me on the spot!” he responded. “But I will answer it – I’m not surprised VAR didn’t overturn it,” as Klopp would later allude to.
“Isn’t it there for just making the right decision and not thinking about how high the bar is to overturn the right decision?” Klopp asked. “You think you agree that this situation in all positions of the pitch is 100% a foul.
“It’s 100% a foul and 100% a yellow card. Because he hit the ball but he can only hit the ball because his foot is right there. If the ball is not there, he kills him.
“You will find people, in fact did you employ Mike Dean? Is he working 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, it’s a penalty. If you think it’s not one, maybe you’re not a football person.”
