Liverpool vs Man City: EPL Release VAR Audio for Jeremy Doku Non Penalty Incident

Liverpool vs Man City: EPL Release VAR Audio for Jeremy Doku Non Penalty Incident

Martin Moses
updated at March 20, 2024 at 8:05 AM
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Jeremy Doku logo
J. Doku
Manchester City logoFBelgium logo
Alexis Mac Allister logo
A. Mac Allister
Liverpool logoMArgentina logo
Liverpool logo
Liverpool
England
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Manchester City logo
Manchester City
England
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English Premier League logo
ENG Premier League
England
  • The EPL has released audio from Jeremy Doku's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister
  • Liverpool were denied a late penalty shout against Manchester City on March 10
  • Refereeing boss, Howard Webb, has stated the VAR followed the proper protocols

The English Premier League, through the refereeing body, has made public the VAR audio for the controversial foul on Alexis Mac Allister by Jeremy Doku on March 10.

Manchester City's visit to Anfield to face Jurgen Klopp's side was marked by a bold call by referee, Michael Oliver, at the end of the game after he waved away the home side's appeals for a penalty.

Jeremy Doku, Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool vs Manchester City, Michael Oliver, VAR audio
The contentious Jeremy Doku foul on Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool's game against Manchester City on March 10. Photo by Paul Ellis.
Source: Getty Images

The defending champions had taken an early lead after a wonderful corner-kick routine from Kevin De Bruyne found John Stones unmarked at the near post.

Liverpool restored parity in the second half after Ederson fouled Darwin Nunez inside the area, to give Mac Allister an opportunity to equalise.

VAR audio of Doku's challenge

However, Klopp and his charges felt aggrieved when they were denied a second penalty. In stoppage time, Doku appeared to crash into Mac Allister, with the Belgian catching the World Cup winner on the chest with his boot.

Oliver immediately rejected Liverpool's appeals and referred the incident to the VAR.

"Not for me, mate. The ball is in the middle, and he just tries to play the ball; there might be some contact," Oliver said.

Upon review, the VAR official - Stuart Atwell - agreed that Doku made contact with the ball first and, therefore, agreed with the on-field decision.

Appearing on the Mic'd Up show on Sky Sports, PGMOL chief, Howard Webb, agreed with the official's decisions, insisting the VAR shouldn't re-referee games.

"Michael didn't have certainty in this situation but [the] VAR didn't have any clear and obvious evidence to overturn the on-field decision. It's subjective, so stay out of it. [The] VAR followed the right course in not getting involved."

The one-all result left the two teams separated by just a point ahead of the final 10 games of the season. Arsenal currently lead the table on goal difference.

Why Guardiola took off De Bruyne

In the same game, Sports Brief also reported that Kevin De Bruyne was angered by Pep Guardiola's decision to take him off.

Liverpool overran Manchester City in the second half, with Guardiola choosing to replace the Belgian with Mateo Kovacic.

De Bruyne was far from happy with the decision and made his point clear for his manager as he made his way to the bench.

Authors
Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)