PGMOL has provided an explanation for why Liverpool was not awarded a penalty in the dying moments of their Premier League clash against Manchester City.
The outcome of the match could have had significant implications for the title race, potentially propelling Liverpool ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the standings.
However, the encounter at Anfield ended in a stalemate, with both teams sharing the points. After John Stones opened the scoring for City, Alexis MacAllister equalized for Liverpool from the penalty spot in the second half.
Despite dominating the latter stages of the game, the Reds were unable to find a winning goal.
Liverpool fans were left aggrieved when they believed their team should have been awarded another penalty kick in the final minute of stoppage time.
Jérémy Doku’s high boot caught Mac Allister in the chest, leading to a lengthy VAR review.
Ultimately, VAR official Stuart Atwell decided to uphold the on-field decision made by referee Michael Oliver, prompting frustration from fans and a confrontation between Jürgen Klopp and the match officials.
PGMOL defended the decision, stating that VAR deemed Doku to have played the ball.
Veteran referee Mike Dean, providing commentary for Sky Sports, suggested that Doku was fortunate to escape punishment, as his challenge appeared reckless despite making initial contact with the ball.
Despite the contentious ending, the match showcased the quality of both teams. While Manchester City dominated the first half, Liverpool performed admirably in the second period.
The match ended in a draw, with neither side able to secure a decisive victory. The controversy surrounding the penalty decision will undoubtedly be a talking point in the aftermath of the game, but ultimately, both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.
