Premier League title race rocked by controversial VAR call as rivals’ last dance ends in late drama

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was enraged his side did not have a late penalty against Manchester City as the two Premier League heavyweights played out a thrilling 1-1 draw.

Jeremy Doku avoided giving away a penalty despite this challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. Picture: AFP

Arsenal remained top of the Premier League after a titanic tussle between Liverpool and Manchester City ended 1-1 at Anfield on Monday (AEDT).

Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty cancelled out John Stones’ opener to leave Liverpool behind the Gunners on goal difference and City one point back in third with 10 games to go.

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The final Premier League clash between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola did not disappoint as Liverpool roared back in a breathless second half despite being depleted by injury.

Klopp’s men could have regrets if they do not go on to break City’s run of three consecutive titles as they missed a plethora of chances to secure a crucial win.

City have still not won at Anfield in front of a crowd since 2003, but could also have snatched victory late on when Jeremy Doku hit the post.

A share of the spoils leaves Arsenal as the winners of the weekend as eight consecutive league victories have taken the Gunners top, but they travel to City in their next league match on March 31.

Mohamed Salah was only fit enough for a place on the Liverpool bench alongside Andy Robertson, while Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota were absent through injury.

A makeshift Liverpool defence were put to the test early on as Kevin De Bruyne found pockets of space to exploit.

His attempt at an audacious chip of Caoimhin Kelleher drifted just wide before the Irish goalkeeper parried a driven De Bruyne shot from long range.

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John Stones scored the opening goal. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Without Salah and Jota the pressure was on Darwin Nunez to deliver up front for Liverpool.

But the Uruguayan kept drifting offside in the first 45 minutes. Luis Diaz did have the ball in the net for the hosts, but the goal was ruled out as Nunez had strayed in the build-up.

For a much-anticipated clash between two of the world’s best teams, both goals came from simple defensive errors.

Liverpool were caught napping from a De Bruyne corner and Stones’ effort had too much power for Kelleher.

Klopp’s men recovered impressively to end the first half the stronger side. Dominik Szoboszlai headed a good chance over and Diaz blasted inches wide from the edge of the area.

But Liverpool had to wait just seconds into the second period their equaliser and it came gift-wrapped from the visitors.

Nunez pounced on Nathan Ake’s short backpass and was cleaned out by Ederson. Mac Allister was cool despite a long delay for Ederson to get treatment, that eventually forced him to be replaced by Stefan Ortega, and fired his penalty into the top corner.

Alexis Mac Allister equalised for Liverpool from the spot. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

With confidence restored, Liverpool then poured forward as City were left clinging on.

Salah and Robertson were introduced on the hour mark and the Egyptian nearly had an instant impact.

Diaz sliced wide a glorious chance wide when played clean through by Salah’s pass.

Kyle Walker’s last-ditch intervention denied Diaz once more before Salah flashed a shot wide.

Ortega then had to be quick off his line to smother a shot from Nunez. Guardiola responded by sacrificing Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne, much to the chagrin of the Belgian who made his feelings known to his manager.

However, the introduction of Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku steadied the City ship and could have even gone on to snatch it.

Erling Haaland was kept exceptionally quiet by Virgil van Dijk, but he picked out Doku who fired off the inside of the post in the final minute of the 90.

Doku was fortunate not to give away a penalty deep in second half stoppage time for this challenge on Mac Allister. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Liverpool were screaming for a second penalty deep into eight minutes of added time when Doku’s high foot caught Mac Allister.

But neither referee Michael Oliver or VAR were interested to leave the title race tantalisingly poised.

It was a decision that left Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp flabbergasted.

“This situation, in all positions on the pitch, is 100 per cent a foul. It’s 100 per cent a foul and a yellow card,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“Because he [Doku] hit the ball, yes. But he could only hit the ball because his foot is right there [high up]. And yes, he hit the ball. But if the ball is not there, he kills him [Mac Allister]. That’s how it is, it’s as easy as that.

“It’s a penalty for all football people. It’s a penalty for football people, if you think it’s not one then maybe you’re not a football fan.”

Manchester United great Gary Neville agreed, describing Doku as “a very, very lucky boy” and felt the Belgian “was in trouble.”

Originally published as Premier League title race rocked by controversial VAR call as rivals’ last dance ends in late drama