For Jürgen Klopp, just one look at the replay was enough to make a clear verdict. “This is 100 percent a penalty – but they will find a reason,” said the Liverpool FC team manager after the 1-1 (0-1) draw in the fast-paced top game of the Premier League against Manchester City. In injury time, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was brought down by Jeremy Doku in the opponent’s penalty area. But the penalty whistle didn’t happen. It was the big excitement in the summit meeting between the two top clubs.
“In all areas of the field this is a foul and probably a yellow card. Whether at the corner flag, on the halfway line – and in the penalty area?” Klopp said angrily: “I couldn’t see it in the game, I only saw ‘Maccas’ reaction, he ran there, then fell. All the people with tablets around “All around me said: Wow! Sure! Everyone agreed that the VAR would intervene and there would be a penalty.”
Guardiola believes in Klopp’s comeback
But neither referee Michael Oliver nor the video assistant shared this view. Much to Klopp’s surprise. “Why would the guy in the VAR studio just think it’s not clear and obvious. What must they have had for lunch to think it’s not clear and obvious?” Manchester’s Jeremy Doku hit the ball and the chest of Mac Allister with a high leg in the scene in question. The video referee examined the situation but did not overrule the referee.
“Of course it was a penalty, we didn’t get it, but that’s okay,” said the German coach, who will be leaving Anfield Road at the end of the season and is now second in the table with Liverpool, in a conciliatory manner. “It’s much more important that we can play football like this. I have seen so many sensational performances, it would be unfair not to mention one. They were absolutely outstanding,” said Klopp. John Stones (23rd) had given the champions from Manchester the lead. Argentine world champion Mac Allister (50th) equalized with a penalty.
The German coach also hugged his esteemed rival Pep Guardiola for a relatively long time after the final whistle. “It was an exchange. We respect each other brutally,” said Klopp after the last duel between the two coaches. Nevertheless, Guardiola believes in a reunion on the bench. “He will come back. He loves the job too much,” said the former Bayern coach and explained: “Football needs personalities like him.”
Manchester City won five of the last six championship titles. Mostly hunted and demanded by Klopp’s Liverpool. “He made us a better team. “He made me a better coach,” emphasized Guardiola. Thanks to the draw between Klopp’s team and the defending champions, Arsenal are now in first place with 64 points, level on points with Liverpool. The Cityzens follow one point behind. “We still have ten games left. Anything can happen,” said Guardiola about the three-way battle.
Marcus Erberich, Brighton Published/Updated: Recommendations: 6 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 5
Klopp viewed the 1-1 draw between his weakened team against superstar Erling Haaland and Co. as a “statement” to the competition. “Arsenal won’t stop. City won’t stop. We won’t stop,” announced Klopp.
Four farewell titles are still possible for the former Bundesliga coach. Klopp has already won the League Cup. With second place in the league, the chance of winning the championship is good. In the Europa League, reaching the quarter-finals is just a formality after the 5-1 win at Sparta Prague in the first leg. The next highlight follows on Sunday (4.30 p.m.) in the round of the best eight in the FA Cup against arch-rivals Manchester United.
