Micah Richards admitted Jeremy Doku left him worried with his high challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City.
The spoils were shared after a pulsating match at Anfield, which was the final meeting between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola as Premier League managers.
John Stones gave City the lead in the first-half, but Alexis Mac Allister equalised in the second after Ederson fouled Darwin Nunez for a penalty. The Brazilian was somewhat unfortunate because of the poor pass that Nathan Ake played to him.
Liverpool knocked on the door after that, with Stefan Ortega – on for the injured Ederson – making some good saves. But City also had decent opportunities through Phil Foden and Doku. But it ended all square, which was probably a fair result.
Right at the end, Liverpool had a penalty claim waved away after a challenge from Jeremy Doku on Mac Allister, which Micah Richards admitted had him a bit worried…
Micah Richards drops verdict on the challenge by Jeremy Doku on Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool 1-1 Man City
City were facing some late pressure from Liverpool.
The Reds had a corner, and it was headed clear by City but only as far as the edge of the area.
With the ball bouncing, Doku and Mac Allister came in and the Belgian winger raised his foot, with Mac Allister going in with his chest.
Doku got some of the ball and also some of the player. Referee Michael Oliver gave nothing, and neither did VAR.
Some have claimed it should have been a penalty for Liverpool, but the general consensus is that there just wasn’t enough in it. But Richards admitted the moment did leave his heart in his mouth.
He said on Sky Sports: “Of course I was worried. I just thought it was naive. If you actually look at Doku, he could have headed it! Why didn’t he just head it out? Why have your foot up there in the last minute of the game? It’s going to cause that sort of drama.
“But I probably agree with Carra, if it was given, it’s not overturned.”
The right decision, but silly from Doku
It was a challenge that irked Klopp, but ultimately, the right decision was made by Oliver and the VAR.
But it was an incredibly risky thing for Doku to do and Richards is right, it probably would have been better for him to go in with his head.
Had the £50,000-a-week winger got any less of the ball, a penalty may well have been awarded.
It was a rather rash moment but Doku is young and is obviously still learning the game, especially defensively.
Despite that worrying moment though, Doku can be pleased with his cameo against Liverpool – and he was unlucky not to score with his effort that hit the post after Caoimhin Kelleher got fingertips to it.
