26 November 2023 , 08:44
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Alisson has been told he was "bailed out" by the referee as the Liverpool goalkeeper had his blushes spared after Manchester City had a goal ruled out on Saturday.
Ruben Dias thought he'd put the champions two goals ahead when he slotted home after the Brazilian goalkeeper had dropped a delivery from a corner. He was challenged by Manuel Akanji, but contact was minimal, yet enough for Chris Kavanagh to award a free-kick.
It proved crucial as City's lead remained at 1-0 and Trent Alexander-Arnold's strike 10 minutes from time meant the Reds left with a share of the spoils - ending Pep Guardiola's side's impressive winning run at home. Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett claims the champions "have every right to feel aggrieved" as he questioned the decision on Alisson.
He called for greater consistency - citing the goal awarded for Newcastle against Arsenal several weeks ago. Hackett wrote in the Telegraph: "Yes, Manuel Akanji made contact with the Liverpool keeper but football is a contact sport. The contact made was nowhere near enough for a free-kick to be awarded.
"What makes this error even more galling is the clear comparison with the Joelinton incident in the Newcastle-Arsenal match. On that occasion, the referee and video assistant referee decided that Joelinton did not foul Gabriel Magalhaes, which allowed Anthony Gordon to score the controversial winner.
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"Joelinton’s push on Gabriel was cleared, with two hands, and far more powerful than Akanji on Alisson. Yet, a crucial goal was awarded on that occasion whereas today it was ruled out."
Alisson was deemed to have been fouled by Manuel AkanjiOn that occasion at St James' Park it was Stuart Atwell who was the referee and originally gave the goal. At the Etihad he was on VAR duty yet deemed the contact by Akanji to be worse than that by Joelinton on Gabriel, which will divide opinion.
Jamie Carragher commented on Sky Sports: "For me, Liverpool and Alisson are extremely lucky. If the referee doesn’t give that, VAR isn’t saying it’s a foul. There’s no way in the world. A goalkeeper of his quality and it’s hardly anything from Akanji. It’s like a centre-back and a centre-forward jumping for a header.
"I want my goalkeeper to deal with that. I think he’ll be disappointed with his overall performance today, Alisson. I don’t think he was at it at all. He struggled at times with the ball at his feet and a goalkeeper of his quality will think he should do a little bit better."