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Controversial studs-on-chest tackle on Mac Allister deny Liverpool a late penalty call against Manchester City

By Giancarlo Cornejo March 10, 2024
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The Premier League title race is as close as ever.
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Liverpool and Manchester City provided an exciting top-of-the-table Premier League clash in their 1-1 draw at Anfield this Sunday.

The last-ever league matchup between managers Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola — one of the most iconic managerial rivalries in Premier League history — sent both home with a result worthy of their history, leaving much of what's to come for the title race this season in the air.

In the 23rd minute, an absurd first-post delivery from Kevin de Bruyne from a quickly-taken corner kick, left John Stones the sole duty to tap the ball inside of the net for the opening goal of the game.

Pep Guardiola pointed and thanked Manchester City’s set-piece coach after his successful strategy gave them the lead.

Despite the early goal, though, Pep Guardiola’s City opted to sit back and look for chances from the counter attack. Haaland, in a direct matchup against Virgil van Dijk, was close to doubling the visitors’ lead.

This approach left Liverpool the space to create from a high-press. A high-press that lead to the turning point play at the start of the second half.

Just minutes after the restart, a short pass from Nathan Ake to Ederson inside the box followed by Darwin Nuñez ended in a clear penalty after the Brazilian goalkeeper’s late challenge on the Liverpool striker.

Poor sequence from the Citizens.

The Argentine Alexis Mac Allister who had converted a penalty kick for Liverpool mid-week in the Europa League, stepped up once again for the chance to level the game. A fierce side-netting strike did not disappoint.

Minutes later, however, and after his collision with Darwin Nuñez that lead to the the penalty call, Ederson was forced to leave the game due to an apparent leg injury. Experienced back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega came in as his replacement.

Following the goal that put them level and Ederson's substitution, Jurgen Klopp shook the seats on the bench and brought on none other than Mohamed Salad and Andy Robertson in the effort to complete the comeback win.

A moral-renewed and fresh Liverpool became becoming dangerous in the last third, with absurd individual plays down the flanks from Luis Díaz and Salah that were closing in for Liverpool's second of the match.

The clear dominance from the home side in the second half sent Pep Guardiola looking for answers on the bench, substituting Jérémy Doku and Mateo Kovačić onto the pitch to relieve some of the attacking pressures coming The Reds.

Doku, who was constantly finding himself from a dangerous spot outside the box, hit the post in what was perhaps the last clear chance of the game.

In added time, a high challenge and clearance also from Doku inside the box that looked to have left the winger’s studs on Mac Allister’s chest, sent all Liverpool players and fans into a roar for a late penalty call. A quick VAR review, however, denied the home side the opportunity.

The draw between Liverpool and Manchester City leaves the title-race as close as ever, with Arsenal leading the Premier League table with 64 points just ahead of Liverpool on goal difference. Manchester City remains third with 63 points.

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