- Jeremy Doku appeared to foul Alexis Mac Allister in the box late in the game.
- Michael Oliver chose not to give Liverpool a penalty
- Ian Ladyman: Why I’m glad England lost to Brazil – Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
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Jeremy Doku has spoken for the first time about his controversial chest-high attack on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and insisted: “It wasn’t a penalty.”
Liverpool were angry at being denied a last-gasp penalty in their 1-1 draw with title rivals Manchester City at Anfield a fortnight ago, after Doku’s studs made contact with Liverpool’s chest. Mac Allister in the area.
Referee Michael Oliver did not commit a foul and a VAR review also decided not to sanction Doku.
But furious Reds boss Jurgen Klopp insisted the challenge was “100 per cent a foul”, as did many pundits.
Chief referee Howard Webb later said VAR was right not to overturn the decision and City winger Doku said with a smile: “Of course I agree.”
Jeremy Doku insisted his controversial tackle on Alexis Mac Allister was not a penalty
The Belgian caught Mac Allister in the chest in the dying seconds of Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield two weeks ago.
Mac Allister fell after being challenged by the Belgian but did not receive a penalty
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‘No, it was a risky challenge. She could have approached it differently. I still believe it wasn’t a penalty, but I know other referees would have given it. But it wasn’t a penalty, so I was happy.
‘I was worried? For a moment when they looked at the VAR and perhaps looked for a penalty.
“For me it wasn’t a penalty, but I understand why some people are angry and why Liverpool fans think it was a penalty.”
Doku will be in the Belgian team that will face England in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday night.
The 21-year-old believes Gareth Southgate’s side are among the favorites for the Euro 2024 trophy this summer.
‘We can win? We’re going to try,’ she added. “Of course England are a good team, one of the favorites for the European Championship.
“But we have prepared well and we have all the tools to make it a competitive match.” We are going to try to win, that is our mentality. It won’t be easy, but we’re going to try.
Romelu Lukaku missed the goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland last week due to a groin injury.
Jurgen Klopp angrily confronted referee Michael Oliver at the final whistle
But with Kevin De Bruyne injured, the Roma striker, who is still on loan from Chelsea, will be named Belgium captain upon his return to London.
“He is available, he trained the last four days, yesterday and today with the team, so he is ready,” said coach Domenico Tedesco.
“On the field he is important because he is always available, always there and if you have a striker like him you can find him.” It’s hard to defend against him.
“Off the field it is incredibly important. “He’s like a dad to this group of young players we have on our team.”