Why John Stones goal in Liverpool vs Man City wasn't disallowed as Mike Dean notices key moment
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has insisted that there was "nothing wrong" with Manchester City's opening goal against Liverpool in Sunday's Premier League title clash.
Jurgen Klopp's men looked to return to the top of the table after slipping down to second following Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brentford. However, City drew first blood at Anfield courtesy of John Stones.
The former Everton man turned home a smart Kevin De Bruyne corner past Caoimhin Kelleher at the front post. However, there were hopes that VAR would rule the goal out after Nathan Ake appeared to block Alexis Mac Allister from intervening.
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Unfortunately for Liverpool, the goal stood and City's fast start out of the blocks on Merseyside was rewarded. Speaking on Sky Sports alongside Peter Drury, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, Dean explained why there was nothing wrong with the goal.
"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."
Neville called Ake's role in the goal "clever" but did ask the question about whether VAR would intervene. 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?
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