Premier League

FANS spotted the hilarious moment Phil Foden “squared up” to a Liverpool star… but then appeared to change his mind after realising it was Virgil van Dijk.The two aces clashed in yesterday’s 1-1 draw between title chasers Manchester City and Liverpool.Phil Foden was left incensed after being taken down from behindCredit: Sky SportsThe Man City star looked ready to ‘square off’ against the mystery Liverpool aggressorCredit: Sky SportsFans reckon Foden backed off when he saw it was Virgil van DijkCredit: Sky SportsThe Anfield battle was full of fire and vigour as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp squared off for the final time in the Premier League.John Stones opened the scoring before Alexis Mac Allister fired back with a penalty.And the result means both sides remain fully in the title race, despite Arsenal going top on goal difference.However, fans were left in stitches after Foden was floored by a swipe from Van Dijk while on an attack.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe England star was crunched from behind and immediately leapt to his feet in annoyance.Foden then turned around to “square up” to the mystery Liverpool opponent who had taken him out.But fans reckon he went from mad to meek after clocking it was 6ft4in defender Van Dijk responsible for the tackle, with the pair having already tussled during the game.One said: “Foden wanted to square up with the player who challenged him but the realised it was Van Dijk.”Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGAnother declared: “He probably thought it was a meteorite that brought him down.”One noted: “Got brave for a second.”Roy Keane tells Micah Richards to calm down on live TV after furious rant about Man City and Pep GuardiolaLiverpool and City went on to draw 1-1 at AnfieldCredit: PAAnother added: “He don’t want the smoke.”Meanwhile, the game ended in controversy after Jeremy Doku collided with Mac Allister in City’s box during the eighth minute of injury time.The Belgian planted a foot on the Argentine’s chest while attempting to kick the ball out.However, it was not deemed a foul by referee Michael Oliver, with VAR backing his call not to give a second penalty.And Liverpool boss Klopp was left raging after the final whistle.The German said: “His (Doku’s) foot is right there. He hit the ball but if the ball is not there, he kills him (Mac Allister).“Did you employ Mike Dean, is he working for Sky? Congratulations, that’s a great appointment.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He will find something and all the others as well. This is a penalty for all football people on the planet, it’s a penalty.“If you think it’s not one, then maybe you’re not a football person.” More

PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed why subbed Kevin De Bruyne and insists that he is “happy” with the star’s angry reaction to be replaced.The Belgian playmaker, 32, started the crunch Premier League title showdown that saw his Manchester City draw 1-1 at LIverpool.Pep Guardiola has explained why he took off Kevin De BruyneCredit: SKY SPORTSThe Belgian star was fuming when he was subbed off at AnfieldCredit: APDe Bruyne got an assist in the first half of the clash with a sharp corner for John Stones’ opener.City goalie Ederson then gave away a penalty for a foul on Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister converted in the 50th minute.Jurgen Klopp’s Reds began to push forward and take control as they went in search of a winner, which resulted in Guardiola making a tactical switch.Defensive midfielder Mateo Kovacic was introduced off the bench in the 69th minute in place of De Bruyne, a move that shocked many supporters as well as the player himself.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe made his feelings known as he started arguing with his boss on the touchline for several moments before then having a heated exchange with members of the coaching staff.Things looked to have calmed down as De Bruyne sat amongst the other City players on the bench, but not for long.Guardiola went over to him minutes later and took a seat beside him on the bench, but the pair continued their frank exchange of words once again as De Bruyne was spotted gesturing with his hand to somewhere on the pitch.But the Cityzens manager was adamant he had no issues with his top talent afterwards.Most read in FootballGuardiola said: “I’m happy to see that. I like it if he’s upset, it’s good. He’s happy now.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I knew what we were missing, we missed keeping the ball. After (he went off) we did it better. But, listen, Kevin… what can I say for Kevin… we need him and he is important.”He then said that playing at Anfield against Liverpool was “like a tsunami” after the Reds flooded the midfield and created numerous chances after half time.Jurgen Klopp confronts referee after 98th minute season-defining VAR call saves Man City at AnfieldAnd that it led to him making the controversial change.Guardiola added: “We started really well even before the goal and played with a huge personality.“After the first half it was difficult because they have (Wataru) Endo and Mac Allister, so they have extra passers and quality to play whereas before was more direct.“In the second half, in that stadium… you don’t have time. We gave away the penalty and sooner or later, for 15 or 20 minutes, it feels like a tsunami! Oh my god, it’s coming for everybody, they have the ball and everything.“But after we had Mateo, especially when he came on, we could make extra passes. They are really strong in their pressing and counter-pressing, in this stadium it’s not easy. But never we stopped trying to play.“With Mateo and John (Stones) and Rodri, we then had the quality to play and keep the ball.“We had our chances, they had their chances. We want to keep the ball but sometimes you can’t, but they are the best team I have ever seen in the pressing.”Klopp was also fuming afterwards as he confronted referee Michael Oliver at the end of the game to protest the decision to not give a penalty to the Reds at the end of the match.READ MORE SUN STORIESYesterday’s draw meant Arsenal were left top of the Premier League, level on points with Liverpool but crucially ahead on goal difference.City are one point behind the other two but have an inferior goal difference.The argument continued on the bench between De Bruyne and GuardiolaCredit: SKY SPORTS More

JURGEN KLOPP called out Gareth Southgate after Liverpool’s draw with Manchester City.The Reds boss was delighted with his team’s performance despite their failure to find a winner in the title clash.Jurgen Klopp questioned why Gareth Southgate continues to overlook Joe GomezCredit: GettyThe Liverpool defender has just 11 England capsCredit: GettySouthgate last called up Gomez in 2020Credit: APAlexis Mac Allister cancelled out John Stones’ first-half strike but Liverpool nullified City’s threat well.Jeremy Doku struck the post late on but Erling Haaland was kept quiet by youngster Jarrell Quansah.Klopp reserved praise for the centre-back after the match and also expressed admiration for Joe Gomez.And while doing so, he called out England boss Gareth Southgate as he seemed to question why the defender has not received a call-up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKlopp said: “Joe Gomez. Gareth, honestly??!”Earlier this week Klopp recommended Southgate look at Gomez, labelling his versatility “wonderful”.Klopp said: “I am not standing here telling Gareth who he should pick.“But you can get one player and have four positions covered. Wonderful.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Gomez has just 11 England caps to his name, the last of which came in October 2020, despite being an ever-present for Liverpool since Klopp took charge.He is also capable of playing in every position across the backline, and could return for England with the Three Lions in need of a left-back given Luke Shaw’s injury.Klopp claims Doku could have KILLED Mac Allister with ‘karate kick’ while aiming dig at Mike Dean More

JURGEN KLOPP aimed a dig at Mike Dean following Liverpool’s controversial penalty incident against Manchester City. The game was level at 1-1 and in the eighth minute of extra time when Jeremy Doku collided with Alexis Mac Allister.Jurgen Klopp aimed a dig at Mike Dean following Liverpool’s controversial penalty incident against CityCredit: X/ @SkySportsPL”For all football people on the planet it’s a penalty!” 😤Jurgen Klopp says it was the best Liverpool performance EVER against Manchester City in the second half but they should have had a penalty 🔴 pic.twitter.com/wQ4jqfIOAL— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 10, 2024

Replays revealed the City forward kicking Mac Allister in the chest as they both went for the ball in the box.But referee Michael Oliver waved play on and the VAR team refused to intervene as the game ended all square.Klopp was left raging after the final whistle and confronted Oliver to question him on the controversial call.The Liverpool boss was later probed on the decision and his confrontation with Oliver after the match. READ MORE IN footballHe said: “His foot is right there and yeah he hit the ball but if the ball is not there, he kills him.” And Klopp managed to aim a shot at retired ref-turned Sky Sports pundit Dean in his response. He said: “Did you employ Mike Dean, is he working for Sky? Congratulations, that’s a great appointment by the way! “He will find something and all the others as well. This is a penalty for all football people on the planet, it’s a penalty. Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “If you think it’s not one, then maybe you’re not a football person.” Despite Klopp’s rant, fans were more interested in his quip at Dean as one said: “Jurgen’s just f***ing bodied Mike Dean.” Jurgen Klopp confronts referee after 98th minute season-defining VAR call saves Man City at AnfieldAnother added: “Mike Dean works for Sky? “Good appointment btw.”Shots fired.” One joked: “Jurgen Klopp absolutely finished Mike Dean off.”Mike Dean was dug out by Jurgen KloppCredit: Getty More

LIVERPOOL fans are up in arms over a Jurgen Klopp decision they believe cost them all three points against Manchester City.The two title contenders played out an entertaining 1-1 draw that keeps Arsenal top of the Premier League.Fans fumed at a key Jurgen Klopp decisionCredit: ReutersSupporters felt Darwin Nunez should have stayed on the pitchCredit: EPABut both teams had chances to win it after Alexis Mac Allister cancelled out John Stones’ opener.Liverpool finished the match the stronger out of the two but fans felt Klopp cost them victory.With the Reds piling pressure on City the German boss controversially decided to take off Darwin Nunez.Cody Gakpo replaced the forward but supporters felt Liverpool lost momentum as a result, with some suggesting Luis Diaz should have made way instead.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne fan reacted to the result saying: “It’s on Klopp for not starting Salah, and subbing off Nunez for Gakpo, league’s gone. Arsenal are a better team than City and Liverpool they aren’t dropping points.”Another added: “Klopp pulling Nunez and not Diaz is beyond baffling.”A third wrote: “Klopp’s decision to change Nunez denied us all three points.”And another commented: “Klopp out we lost the title.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Fans were also left baffled by Gary Neville during the match after the commentator compared Stones’ goal with an effort from Virgil van Dijk controversially ruled out in last month’s Carabao Cup final.Stones nipped in at the near post to flash home a clever corner from quick-thinking Kevin de Bruyne in Sunday’s Premier League blockbuster.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveBut Sky Sports pundit Neville homed in on Nathan Ake tangling with Liverpool’s Mac Allister in the middle of the box.And he compared it to the most contentious talking point from the Wembley showpiece in February.That was when Van Dijk saw a goal erased after Wataru Endo was judged to be offside and interfering with play.Endo was assessed to be impeding the movement of Chelsea’s Levi Colwill.MARK HALSEY’S VERDICT ON PENALTY SHOUTJEREMY DOKU could have had no complaints had Michael Oliver awarded a last-gasp penalty to Liverpool.
The Manchester City winger caught Alexis Mac Allister in the chest with a high boot.
Doku made a forward’s challenge, he should have headed the ball clear instead. He got a toe on the ball but his follow through hit the Reds midfielder.
Doku’s challenge was careless, it was not one with excessive force and his leg was bent which is maybe why Oliver, who had a very good game, didn’t award the pen.
But you can argue it’s a foul and therefore a penalty as he ran the risk by putting his foot that high.
A free-kick would have been awarded anywhere else on the pitch outside the penalty box. And had Oliver pointed to the spot it would not have been overturned.
It’s a subjective decision and it was not a clear and obvious error so VAR did not intervene.
Nathan Ake blocked Mac Allister prior to John Stones’ goal from Kevin de Bruyne’s clever corner but it was weak from the Argentine, who fell to the ground, and not worthy of a foul. More