Alexis Mac Allister insists Jeremy Doku’s controversial late challenge was ‘a clear penalty’ and claims referee Michael Oliver ‘made a mistake’ as Liverpool hold Man City to 1-1 draw

Alexis Mac Allister insists he should have been awarded a penalty in the dying stages of Sunday’s mouth-watering match between Liverpool and Man City, after a controversial challenge from Jeremy Doku divided opinion.

City and Liverpool played one of the most thrilling and exciting games of the season on Sunday, with the two sides unable to be separated after 90 minutes for the second time this season.

John Stones scored the opener for the visitors after some quick thinking from Kevin De Bruyne from a corner, before Mac Allister leveled the score for the hosts from twelve yards after the break.

With two titans of the league facing off, it was a match played with great intensity, and as such the final seconds sparked controversy, with Mac Allister being floored in the penalty area by a high challenge from Doku.

Jurgen Klopp was convinced his side should have been awarded a penalty, and many agreed with him, but Michael Oliver was unconvinced and so City escaped without a late twist in what had been a fascinating match.

The Argentinian midfielder was left in the lurch after the Belgian striker’s tough challenge

Referee Michael Oliver was in a good position to see the coming together and decide not to award a penalty

Replays showed Doku’s boot cut off part of the ball during the challenge, although he made clear contact with the Argentine midfielder’s chest.

“We wanted more and I think we deserved a lot more than a point,” said Mac Allister of his side’s performance at Anfield.

‘I think the performance was very good. The second half was great, so very proud in that sense, but disappointed we didn’t get the three points.”

But when asked if he thought he should have been awarded a late penalty, he replied: ‘Do you think it’s me?

‘I think it’s a clear penalty. I can’t say much more about it. “I think the referee did a good job the whole game, but I think he made a mistake on the last call.”

The decision has divided opinion, but that has not stopped much from being said following the result, which sees Liverpool in second place on goal difference, level with leaders Arsenal.

Confronted by Oliver on the pitch at full-time, Jurgen Klopp later claimed: ‘It was a 100 per cent penalty.

‘They will find an explanation. It was a 100 percent foul in all parts of the pitch and probably a yellow card.

Jurgen Klopp was seen confronting Oliver on the pitch after the final whistle before agreeing that a penalty should have been awarded to his side

The Reds had already scored one penalty in the match when Mac Allister equalized from the spot in the second half

‘All the people with iPads around me were like, “Wow, clear.” Maybe they can hide behind the phrase that it is not clear and obvious.

‘It’s obviously a penalty, but we didn’t get one and that’s fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like this.’

Mac Allister’s injured teammate Diogo Jota appeared to agree, taking to social media to cryptically express his opinion by posting four emojis that seemed to suggest he didn’t entirely agree with the call.

Gary Neville commented that Doku had been lucky, echoing the sentiments of injured Liverpool star Jota, as the Match of the Day 2 debate raged between Shay Give and Mail Sport’s Danny Murphy, with the latter arguing it should have Be given.