Alexis Mac Allister makes feelings clear on late penalty drama

  • Alexis Mac Allister was denied a late penalty in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Man City
  • Argentine midfielder had previously equalised from the penalty spot
  • Mark Clattenburg believes official made wrong call
Doku caught Mac Allister late on
Doku caught Mac Allister late on / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages
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Alexis Mac Allister insisted his side should have been awarded a penalty late in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

The Argentine had already equalised from the penalty spot earlier in the game and felt he deserved another spot-kick when, deep into added time, he was caught in the box with a high foot from City winger Jeremy Doku.

On-field referee Michael Oliver did not blow for a foul and VAR official Stuart Attwell declined to intervene - to the surprise of onlookers watching inside the stadium and also at home.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Mac Allister said of the decision: "I think it's a clear penalty. I cannot say much more.

"I think the ref did a very good job throughout the game, but I think he made a mistake in the last decision."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious with the decision after the game, saying in his post-match interview: "Isn't it [VAR] there for making the right decision? This situation in all positions of the pitch is 100% a foul. And it is a yellow card. He hit the ball but, but if the ball is not there he kills him.


Alexis Mac Allister, Jérémy Doku
Mac Allister was left on the turf / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who now works as a referee analyst for Nottingham Forest, admitted in his column for the Daily Mail that Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty.

He wrote: "The ball bounces up. Alexis Mac Allister moves towards it. Jeremy Doku's foot is high. He catches Mac Allister in the chest.

"Outside of the box, this would have resulted in a free-kick, every day of the week. Just because it happened inside the box does not suddenly transform it into a clean challenge when Mac Allister might be left playing connect the dots on his chest on Monday morning.

"Regardless of the magnitude of the match and the fact it happened in the 98th minute, this was an incident worthy of a penalty. "


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