Richard Keys has insisted there was no way VAR were going to intervene when Michael Oliver did not give Liverpool a penalty against Manchester City on Sunday.

 

Late on at Anfield, with the scores locked at 1-1, Jeremy Doku caught Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area with a high challenge.

 

Doku’s boot when into Mac Allister’s chest area and many felt that it was a clear penalty kick, amid the Liverpool star grimacing in pain.

 

 

 

Oliver waved play on however and VAR did not intervene, leaving Liverpool unhappy at being denied a spot kick.

 

For Keys, there was no way Oliver was going to be called to the monitor to review the decision and he opened up on why that was the case.

 

 

Keys wrote on his blog: “Of course Liverpool should’ve had a late pen – but once Oliver had decided otherwise, Attwell was in a really invidious position. There was no way he was going to ask Oliver to go to the monitor.

 

“Not since Saturday, September 4 2022 has that happened. Do you remember the incident? The match was Forest v Bournemouth. Forest were awarded a pen by Oliver when Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly handled.

 

 

“Before the kick was taken, Oliver was invited to the monitor to review his decision. He decided his original call was correct. Of course he did.

 

“At the time we all praised him for having the guts to stick with his decision. I believe it was the first time a ref had stayed with his on-field call after being sent to check it. Well – overturn it, because that always happens.

 

“What isn’t so well known – but I’ve referred to it before – is that Oliver was furious he’d been asked to check his decision and he let his colleagues know, in no uncertain terms, at their next meeting.

 

“I can’t think of too many times since – if any – when Oliver has been back to a monitor. I would add that he’s one of the busiest when he’s in the bunker – but the message is clear when he’s got the whistle – don’t bother me.

 

“I mentioned this only last week. I’ve lost count of the other occasions when I’ve referred to it. I’ve had people ridicule me for sticking to my guns on it – but now do you believe me?”

 

Liverpool dominated possession against Pep Guardiola’s side and also had 19 shots at goal compared to the visitors’ ten.

 

Manchester City saw three of their players booked during the course of the 90 minutes, while Liverpool had no one go in the book.