The English Premier League, through the refereeing body, has made public the VAR audio for the controversial foul on Alexis Mac Allister by Jeremy Doku on March 10.
Manchester City’s visit to Anfield to face Jurgen Klopp’s side was marked by a bold call by referee, Michael Oliver, at the end of the game after he waved away the home side’s appeals for a penalty.
The defending champions had taken an early lead after a wonderful corner-kick routine from Kevin De Bruyne found John Stones unmarked at the near post.
Liverpool restored parity in the second half after Ederson fouled Darwin Nunez inside the area, to give Mac Allister an opportunity to equalise.
VAR audio of Doku’s challenge
However, Klopp and his charges felt aggrieved when they were denied a second penalty. In stoppage time, Doku appeared to crash into Mac Allister, with the Belgian catching the World Cup winner on the chest with his boot.
Oliver immediately rejected Liverpool’s appeals and referred the incident to the VAR.
“Not for me, mate. The ball is in the middle, and he just tries to play the ball; there might be some contact,” Oliver said.
Upon review, the VAR official – Stuart Atwell – agreed that Doku made contact with the ball first and, therefore, agreed with the on-field decision.
Appearing on the Mic’d Up show on Sky Sports, PGMOL chief, Howard Webb, agreed with the official’s decisions, insisting the VAR shouldn’t re-referee games.
“Michael didn’t have certainty in this situation but [the] VAR didn’t have any clear and obvious evidence to overturn the on-field decision. It’s subjective, so stay out of it. [The] VAR followed the right course in not getting involved.”
The one-all result left the two teams separated by just a point ahead of the final 10 games of the season. Arsenal currently led the table on goal difference.
