Alexis Mac Allister insists Jeremy Doku’s controversial late challenge was ‘a clear penalty’ and claims referee Michael Oliver ‘made a mistake’ as Liverpool hold Man City to 1-1 draw

Alexis Mac Allister insists he should have been awarded a penalty in the dying embers of Sunday’s mouth-watering clash between Liverpool and Man City, after a controversial Jeremy Doku challenge has divided opinion.

City and Liverpool played one of the most vibrant and exciting matches of the season on Sunday, and the two teams could not be separated for the second time this season in the 90 minutes.

John Stones scored the first goal for the visitors after some quick thinking from Kevin De Bruyne from a corner, before Mac Allister leveled the scores for the hosts after the break from 12 yards.

With two titans of the league clashing, it was a game played with great intensity and as such the final seconds sparked controversy, with Mac Allister brought down inside the area by a high challenge from Doku.

Jurgen Klopp was convinced his team should have been awarded a penalty, and many agreed with him, but Michael Oliver was not convinced, so City escaped without a late turn in what had been a fascinating game.

The Argentine midfielder was destroyed after the Belgian striker’s high tackle

Referee Michael Oliver was in a good position to see the match and decide not to award a penalty.

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Replays appeared to show Doku’s boot cutting off part of the ball in the challenge, although it makes clear contact with the Argentine midfielder’s chest.

“We wanted more and I think we deserved a lot more than a point,” said Mac Allister of his team’s performance at Anfield.

“I think the performance was very good, the second half was incredible, I’m very proud in that sense, but I was discouraged by not getting the three points.”

But when asked if he felt he should have received a penalty later, he replied: “Do you think it’s just me?

“I think it’s a clear penalty, I can’t say much more. I think the referee did a good job throughout the game, but I think he made a mistake in the last decision.”

The decision has divided opinions, although that has not stopped there from being a lot of talk about it after the result, which places Liverpool in second place on goal difference, tied on points with leaders Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp was seen confronting Oliver on the pitch at full-time and later claimed: “It was 100 per cent a penalty.”

‘They will find an explanation. It was 100 percent foul in all areas of the field and probably a yellow card.

Jurgen Klopp was seen confronting Oliver on the pitch after the final whistle before accepting that his team should have been awarded a penalty.

The Reds had already scored a penalty in the match and Mac Allister equalized from the penalty spot in the second half.

‘All the people with iPads around me were like “wow, right.” Maybe they can hide behind the phrase that is not clear and obvious.

“Of course it’s a penalty, but we didn’t get it and that’s okay.” “The most important thing for me is that we can play football like this.”

Mac Allister’s injured teammate Diogo Jota appeared to agree and took to social media to cryptically express his opinion by posting four emojis that seemed to suggest he wasn’t entirely on board with the call.

Gary Neville commented that Doku had been lucky, echoing the sentiments of injured Liverpool star Jota, as the Match Day 2 debate raged between Shay Given and Mail Sport’s Danny Murphy, the latter believing he should have given.