'Liverpool have been robbed' - Michael Oliver accused of Man City bias after failing to award penalty for Jeremy Doku's 'reckless' challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in stoppage time

Liverpool's scintillating 1-1 draw at Anfield against Manchester City saw very late controversy after Doku caught Mac Allister at the end of injury time. Referee Michael Oliver decided not to point to the penalty spot for a foul on the pitch and the Video Assistant Referee cleared the incident with the same view. However, social media users believe the referee showed bias towards City in the situation , with Liverpool missing out on one final chance to win the game.

Well-known Manchester United fan Mark Goldbridge seemed to feel Liverpool were harshly done by as he said on X: "Unbelievable that at the end. Speechless. Anywhere else on that pitch Doku is studs up and reckless. Liverpool have been robbed there. And it's Oliver for City again..."

@elfayz said: "Doku didn’t even touch the ball. Liverpool got robbed, plain and simple."

The Athletic's @JamesPearceLFC said: "Jeremy Doku so fortunate to get away with that one. Stuart Attwell on VAR. Can't help but think if that's earlier in the game he sends the ref to the monitor for an incident like that."

X user @LFCJ7 mocked the decision by saying: "He doesn’t even touch the ball🤣🤣 they said doku’s foot was in a ‘reasonable position’ ahahaha"

@FootballReprt on X said: "Mac Allister won the ball with his shoulder. Doku made contact with the ball, but you can't make that challenge, I mean come on! That's a penalty and a red card."

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: "This is a penalty for all football people on the planet. If you think it is not one then maybe you aren't a football person."

The draw meant that Arsenal have kept their lead in the Premier League standings, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and one point ahead of Manchester City. It seems that the title battle is headed towards a spectacular climax with just 10 matchdays remaining till the end of the season. Arsenal are yet to play the Citizens and Liverpool will fancy their chances of taking advantage despite the draw.