BBC pundit Ian Wright has rubbished claims that Ruben Dias’s goal should have stood following the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Responding to suggestions from Alan Shearer that Manuel Akanji was harshly adjudged to have fouled Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker before Dias headed the ball in, Arsenal legend Wright said:

“He has got a hand on the goalkeeper’s arm, he is never going to get away with that.”

While some may argue that Alisson should have been stronger, Akanji prevented the Brazilian from catching the ball cleanly from the corner. As Wright mentions, he had grabbed onto the Reds no.1’s arm.

Alisson did not have the best game for Liverpool

The often reliable Brazilian had a match to forget at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He was at fault for Erling Haaland’s opening goal, with his mishit clearance finding its way directly to Nathan Ake.

With Liverpool’s defence anticipating a counter-attack, there was enough of a gap for Haaland to slip in and put the ball past the keeper. Alisson got a fingertip to the Norwegian international’s shot and some may feel he could have got more on it to turn it around the post.

There were also other instances of the 31-year-old being lackadaisical in possession. He passed the ball straight to Phil Foden early on, who fluffed his lines with his shot. Alisson nearly got closed down by Haaland before the opener too.

It was a point gained rather than two dropped for the Reds

As Trent Alexander-Arnold said after the game, Jurgen Klopp‘s side didn’t play particularly well. The fact that they only racked up 0.77 xG summed up what was a rather lacklustre display.

Even so, they would have taken a point prior to the match. It was never going to be easy playing away at the Etihad in a 12:30 kickoff right after an international break.

Why are Liverpool struggling against newly-promoted teams? Watch the discussion on Shots!TV here