Liverpool Challenge VAR Decision After Van Dijk Goal Controversy
Liverpool have reached out to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, or PGMOL, following a contentious moment in their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. The focus is on Virgil van Dijk’s header, which could have equalized the game at 1-1 in the 38th minute but was disallowed. The decision came after Andy Robertson, positioned in what was judged as an offside spot, was considered to have interfered with City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s line of sight.
The ruling, made by referee Chris Kavanagh after an assistant referee raised the offside flag, was confirmed by VAR, which determined that Robertson had affected play from his position. Liverpool, while accepting the defeat, believe the goal was wrongly ruled out and feel that the systems in place should have allowed the goal to stand. Multiple camera angles were reviewed, and the club’s assessment suggested that Robertson did not impede Donnarumma’s view at all.
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration after the game, comparing the incident to a previous offside decision involving John Stones. He maintained that Robertson’s positioning did not impact the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball, a view shared by Robertson himself, who argued that he had moved out of the way and was not in Donnarumma’s line of vision. The Premier League’s official Match Centre explained the decision, noting that a player is considered to be interfering with play when they make an “obvious action” that impacts an opponent’s ability to play the ball. Critics, including former players and pundits, have argued that this interpretation was overly strict in this case, suggesting the goal should have stood.
The disallowed goal has become a focal point in discussions about Liverpool’s form this season. Following this defeat, the team sits eighth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Arsenal after 11 games. Robertson admitted that the squad now faces a “huge uphill battle” to defend their title but emphasized that the focus remains on improving performance and picking up points consistently.
Despite the setback, Liverpool had enjoyed recent victories against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, which made this result particularly disappointing. The team now aims to regain form and consistency, with attention firmly on future matches rather than the early-season league table. As for City, their final goal came from Jérémy Doku, who credited Pep Guardiola’s guidance on body positioning during training, underlining the meticulous preparation behind their attacking play.
Liverpool’s challenge to PGMOL reflects ongoing debates about VAR and offside interpretation, highlighting how a single decision can spark significant discussion and impact the momentum of a title race.
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