Virgil Van Dijk felt that they should have won after dominating the second half against Manchester City
Liverpool came back to draw 1-1 with Manchester City on Sunday in Jurgen Klopp’s and Pep Guardiola’s final Premier League game together on the touchline before the German coach leaves at the end of the season.
The intense game was nothing but a rollercoaster ride for the fans as Alexis Mac Allister struck a 50th-minute penalty to cancel out John Stones’ first-half strike at Anfield.
Liverpool could have snatched a late 2-1 win when there was a penalty appeal in stoppage time after Jeremy Doku’s high challenge on Mac Allister.
The VAR dismissed the appeal, as according to Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury, who could hear the VAR officials discussing the incident, Doku was adjudged to have challenged the ball in a “reasonable” position.
Some might say the game was a “controversial” draw, as Doku’s challenge seemed pretty unclean, yet referee Michael Oliver waved away the call, and VAR Stuart Attwell took a long look at the decision and opted to stick with the on-field call.
However, when Sky Sports asked Klopp about the decision-making, he said:
“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,”
“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.”
The late winner could have led the Reds to the top of the table, leaving Manchester City and Arsenal behind.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Premier League title rivals Manchester City left a “bittersweet” taste in the mouth.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Van Dijk said:
“We should have closed the middle a bit better but we reacted well. We had very good chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get the winner but overall bittersweet.
“We had chances in the second half, but to come away with a point is not a bad situation so we have to focus on next and be positive. And we have to enjoy the ride.”
There has been little separating Klopp and Guardiola in one of English football’s most lasting rivalries, and that trend continued in their latest enthralling match.
More Liverpool News
- Liverpool superstar reveals his future plans amidst Jurgen Klopp exit
- Liverpool ace reveals his pearls of wisdom regarding how budding talents need to be dealt with
- Liverpool will battle European giants for Premier League left-back in the transfer window
The draw kept Liverpool one point ahead of defending champions City in third but behind leader Arsenal on goal difference. Arsenal moved to the top after a 2-1 win against Brentford on Saturday.
