Soccer

Walker praises ref’s ‘character’ for Anfield penalty no-call

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has praised the “character” of referee Michael Oliver for not awarding Liverpool a late penalty throughout Sunday’s 1-1 draw between the title rivals.

City winger Jérémy Doku kicked Alexis Mac Allister within the chest whereas clearing the ball within the 99th minute of the match however no foul was given by the on-field officers or the VAR, prompting Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp to say “it was 100% a penalty” and query what the video official Stuart Attwell “had for lunch.”

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

Walker, nonetheless, praised Oliver for not being influenced by the setting or circumstances.

“My view is the referee and the VAR made a decision on what it is,” he advised Sky Sports on Monday. “I feel the ref reffed it really, really well.

“I really feel after you have Anfield and the group behind him, he may have crumbled. But that exhibits his expertise, that exhibits his character and that is why he is regarded most likely as among the best referees on this nation and on the earth on the minute.”

Walker went on to discuss Premier League title race, with City in third just a point behind Liverpool and leaders Arsenal.

“I do not assume no-one’s received the sting. We are the place we’re,” he said. “We’ve received powerful video games like the remainder of them, we have all received powerful video games.

“I said to the lads in the dressing room [before playing Liverpool] that this game is not going to define our season — it’s a big step in the right direction towards out ultimate goal at the end of the season, but it won’t define our season.

“We know the Premier League, we have been in right here many, a few years, and we have seen numerous twists and turns, ups and downs.

“So, there’s a lot of football to be played, as you say there’s 10 big important games to play and hopefully for Manchester City we go and do that big four-in-a-row that no-one has ever done.”


Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button