Real reason why VAR didn't award Liverpool penalty vs Man City despite Jeremy Doku high boot

The reason why VAR did not award Liverpool a late penalty against Manchester City has been revealed.

Liverpool and City played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday, although the hosts felt they should have been given a late chance to win the game.

As City desperately tried to clear a corner in the 98th minute, Jeremy Doku challenged Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and appeared to catch him in the ribs with a high boot.

Referee Michael Oliver waved away appeals for a penalty, and after a check by Video Assistant Referee Stuart Attwell, the on-field decision was allowed to stand.

The Liverpool fans were incensed by the decision, as was manager Jurgen Klopp.

After the match he told Sky Sports that Doku's challenge was "100 per cent a foul."

"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 said.

"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."

Despite what Klopp thinks, it appears that VAR did not recommend the referee change his decision because it was deemed that Doku played the ball.

Mac Allister went down under Doku's challenge.

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.

Replays appeared to show Doku getting a slight touch on the ball before catching Mac Allister with his boot.

After the VAR check was completed, Sky Sports pundit and former Premier League referee Mike Dean said: "He [Doku] played the ball first and I am guessing they're saying the follow-through is a normal coming together. He is very, very fortunate in my opinion there, Doku."

Fellow pundit Gary Neville added: "He [Doku] is a very, very lucky boy. I thought he was in trouble."

The draw allowed Arsenal to stay top of the Premier League table with 10 games remaining, with Liverpool level on 64 points and City one behind on 63.

Topics: Liverpool, Manchester City, VAR, Premier League, Football

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton