Howard Webb: No 'clear and obvious evidence' to give Liverpool late penalty in Manchester City clash

Howard Webb insists VAR was right not to award Liverpool an injury-time penalty in their 1-1 draw against Premier League title rivals Manchester City earlier this month.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was left furious after a high-foot from Jeremy Doku on Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area went unpunished.

The video referee in Stockley Park did take a look at the incident, but decided no punishment was required.

Speaking on the latest episode of 'Match Officials: Mic'd Up' - which will air on TNT Sport and discovery+ on Tuesday at 10pm - PGMOL chief refereeing officer Webb stated that if a penalty had been given on field by referee Michael Oliver, it would have stood.

But because appeals were waved away, VAR decided to stick with the decision.

"This one has split opinion," Webb admitted. "I think it's one where had the referee given it on the field, it would have been 'check complete' by the VAR.

"But having not given it, it is also 'check complete'. You can hear Michael Oliver say that the ball is in between. The ball is too low to head. Doku lifts his foot to play the ball and he does make contact on the ball.

"We know there is some contact on Mac Allister as well so he's not really playing the ball either.

"I think it would have been 'check complete' either way as he doesn't want to be re-refereeing the game in situations that are not really clear.

"In this situation, the VAR stays out of it and I think that's what we would expect."

The 1-1 result means Liverpool headed into the international break in second place in the Premier League table, behind leaders Arsenal only on goal difference, and with City hot on their heels one point behind them.

A penalty, and potential 2-1 victory to the Reds, would therefore have had huge implications on the title race.

Webb also says the magnitude of the fixture, and the lack of any television replays providing conclusive evidence, were crucial behind the decision-making.

"It's a massive game, so as a referee, you just want clarity and certainty that you're making the right decision," he continued.

"You don't always have sufficient information that you're making the right decision. You need that on big moments in and around the penalty area.

"You do everything you can to be in the right position. Michael didn't have certainty in this situation but VAR didn't have any clear and obvious evidence to overturn the on-field decision.

"It's subjective and so stays out of it. VAR followed the right course in not getting involved."

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media