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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Former referee claims Premier League explanation of Trent Alexander-Arnold handball was wrong

Former referee Mark Clattenburg has blasted the Premier League over their explanation for not awarding a penalty to Manchester City at Anfield.

City were furious when Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to handle the ball in the area.

Liverpool went down the other end and opened the scoring through a stunning drive from Fabinho.

The Premier League insisted the penalty was not given because Alexander-Arnold's arm was not in an unnatural position.

It was also stated that the Liverpool defender did not have time to get out of the way.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to handle the ball (REUTERS)

But former official Mark Clattenburg insists that is not why the penalty shouldn't have been given.

"It is the arm of Manchester City forward Bernardo Silva that deflects the ball onto Alexander-Arnold and that is why, for me, play should not be brought back," he told the Mail.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures (Action Images via Reuters)

"If Silva's arm does not divert the ball, then yes, I believe a penalty should have been awarded as Alexander-Arnold's arm is in an unnatural position and he is using it to make himself bigger.

"That is why I do not understand the Premier League explanation that it was not a deliberate handball."

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus is held back by Fernandinho as he remonstrates (REUTERS)

Despite angrily confronting referee Michael Oliver at full-time, Pep Guardiola refused to discuss the handball before the opening goal.

Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves asked him for his thoughts on the penalty, and the City boss insisted: "Ask the referees, don't ask me.

Pushed for an answer, he said: "Ask Mike Riley and the guys in VAR. I would like to talk about our performance, it was so good."

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