“This is cruel, inhumane and barbaric. How was he not given a red Card for this 😱😱A huge, huge moment in the title race. Doku is a lucky man! 🤯
Liverpool and Manchester City fans couldn’t believe the contentious decision made at the end of their Premier League match.
Liverpool and City drew 1-1 at Anfield on Sunday, leaving the Premier League title battle in the balance.
City seized the lead in the first half thanks to a well-worked corner routine, with John Stones scoring at the near post after Nathan Ake stopped Alexis MacAllister to create space.
Liverpool were far superior in the second half, drawing level after only five minutes.
City custodian Ederson was caught off guard by an Ake back pass and tripped Darwin Nunez as they both lunged for the ball, before Mac Allister converted the penalty kick.
Liverpool dominated the rest of the game and missed several half-chances before City nearly won when substitute Jeremy Doku hit the post.
City appeared unsettled in the second half, as evidenced by Kevin De Bruyne’s angry response to being replaced by Pep Guardiola.
Things could have been much worse, though, as Liverpool believed they should have received another penalty deep into injury time.
In the 99th minute, Doku caught Mac Allister in the rib cage with a high foot while trying a clearance.
Referee Michael Oliver appeared to be about to give a penalty when he put his finger to his ear, but after a brief VAR check, play resumed.
It is uncommon for City and Liverpool fans to agree on anything, but on this case, neither could believe Doku was not penalised.
“That’s a stonewall penalty from Doku on Mac Allister, shocking, shocking, shocking call,” one Liverpool fan fumed. Another remarked on X: “Doku literally karate kicked Mac Allister in the chest in the 98th minute and it wasn’t given as a penalty??”
One City fan stated, “Doku is stored there because it was not distributed on the pitch. One of them where if he provides it, it won’t be overturned.”
A puzzled admirer asked, “What was going through Doku’s mind there?”
The draw keeps Arsenal at the top of the table, level with Liverpool on 64 points and slightly ahead of City on 63.
