Why John Stones' goal for Man City vs Liverpool was allowed to stand
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said there was 'nothing wrong' with Manchester City's opening goal against Liverpool.
Liverpool were hoping to get back to the top of the league after Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brentford pushed them into second place. But, it was City who scored first at Anfield thanks to John Stones. Stones, who used to play for Everton, managed to turn a smart corner from Kevin De Bruyne past Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Some people thought that VAR might chalk the goal off because Nathan Ake seemed to stop Alexis Mac Allister from getting involved. But, the goal was allowed and City's quick start in Liverpool was rewarded. Speaking on Sky Sports with Peter Drury, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, Dean explained why the goal was fine.
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"I think when you see from behind the goal, Mac Allister is actually pulling Ake toward him," the former referee said. "For me there was nothing wrong with the goal to be honest with you.", reports the Liverpool Echo.
Neville said Ake's part in the goal was "clever" but wondered if VAR would step in. He said: "I'll have to look at it again but that was genius from De Bruyne. How has he been able to spot that run?".
"They must've worked on that, what a man to deliver that goal, what a man for the occasion! Ake is so clever, he blocks Mac Allister but VAR might have a look at that - is he blocking him from an offside position? Is he preventing him from getting into that space? Coaches up and down the country will be looking in admiration at that."
Read on manchestereveningnews.co.uk
