Referee Chris Kavanagh swiftly annulled the goal, believing Manuel Akanji had fouled Alisson during a corner kick into the box.
The Swiss player nudged the Brazilian as he leaped to catch the cross, leading to the goalkeeper losing his grip on the ball. Ruben Dias managed to find the net just before the whistle blew.
Despite Manchester City’s anticipation that VAR might intervene, it upheld Kavanagh’s decision on the field. Former Manchester City defender Craig Pearce and ex-Liverpool striker Dean Saunders voiced their disagreement with the decision during a live talkSPORT broadcast.
The contentious moment became an even more significant talking point when Trent Alexander-Arnold scored an equalizer for the hosts.
Pearce expressed his perspective, noting the minimal contact involved. He remarked, “It’s only the lightest touch. There’s no way that was a free kick anywhere else on the pitch. But that’s the game these days.”
Saunders vehemently disagreed, insisting that it was a clear foul. He pointed out the pre-contact with Alisson’s arm and subsequent leaning on him, emphasizing the increased sensitivity around goalkeeper contact in modern football.
TalkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface, adopting a neutral stance, suggested the possibility of a soft foul and criticized Alisson’s goalkeeping. He commented, “As the neutral in the organization, I’m going to suggest that that was a little bit soft and it might have been bad goalkeeping.
Alisson needs to do a lot better.” Pearce concurred, suggesting that Alisson might have touched the ball before deciding to play for a foul.
Saunders maintained his stance, reiterating that it was a foul. Pearce, after a moment of reflection, added that the disagreement between him and Saunders indicated that it wasn’t a clear and obvious mistake on the pitch. Matterface clarified that the decision rested with the referee.
Saunders emphasized the current rules, stating, “Well [in] the laws of today—you’re not allowed to touch the keeper.” He concluded the discussion by reiterating the consensus that the contact with the goalkeeper warranted a foul, underscoring the contentious nature of decisions involving goalkeepers in contemporary football.
