Match Officials Mic'd Up: Howard Webb reviews Liverpool vs Man City, West Ham vs Aston Villa and other VAR talking points
In the latest instalment of Match Officials Mic'd Up, PGMOL chief Howard Webb explains why Liverpool were not awarded a penalty late on against Manchester City, why West Ham were denied a late winner against Aston Villa, and more...
Liverpool were not given a penalty by VAR in the final minute of their pulsating 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Super Sunday.
In the final minute of the match, Jeremy Doku challenged Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area as City defended a corner - and appeared to catch the Liverpool No 10 in the chest.
Referee Michael Oliver waved away the call and VAR Stuart Attwell took a long look at the decision - and opted to stick with the on-field call.
Howard Webb: "This one has split opinion. 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.
"It's a massive game, so as a referee, you just want clarity and certainty that you're making the right decision. 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
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