Liverpool 1-1 Man City: Kyle Walker defends referee over controversial decision

Kyle Walker has come out in defence of Michael Oliver and his controversial decision not to award a penalty for Jeremy Doku's high challenge on Alexis Mac Allister on Sunday.

Liverpool and Manchester City played out an enthralling 1-1 draw at Anfield at the weekend in one of the biggest games of the Premier League season so far, with John Stones opening the scoring for the visitors before Mac Allister levelled from the spot just after half-time.

Reds fans were furious that their side was not given a second penalty, and a chance to snatch all three points, in the 98th minute when Doku appeared to kick Mac Allister in the chest in the area.

Referee Oliver waved play on, before a quick VAR check also then ensured that his decision not to award the penalty would not be overturned.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Man City's captain Walker was keen to defend the controversial decision made by the official.

"My view is the referee and the VAR made a decision on what it is. I feel the ref reffed it really, really well," Walker said.

"I feel once you have Anfield and the crowd behind him, he could have crumbled. But that shows his experience, that shows his character and that’s why he's regarded probably as one of the best referees in this country and in the world at the minute."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp notably had a very different view of the decision made by Oliver, telling the press after the draw that Doku's high boot was "100% a foul".

He said: "I think it's worth talking about. Would you have given a penalty in the situation?

"Isn't it [VAR] there for making the right decision? This situation in all positions of the pitch is 100% a foul. And it is a yellow card. He hit the ball but, but if the ball is not there he kills him. He [Mike Dean] will find something and all the others as well. It's a penalty for all people on the planet."

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