The Premier League have explained why Virgil van Dijk’s goal against Manchester City was ruled out.
The Liverpool captain thought he had he equalised for his team, following Erling Haaland’s earlier header, only for the referee to flag for offside due to Andy Robertson.
VAR checked the decision and confirmed that Robertson was standing in an offside position and obscuring Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view of Van Dijk’s header.
The statement from the Premier League read: “The referee’s call of offside and no goal to Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Robertson in an offside position and deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”
Gary Neville, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, questioned whether Donnarumma would even have been able to save Van Dijk’s header without Robertson’s interference.
“I think he is outside the eyeline of the goalkeeper,” Neville said on co-commentary. “I think [Arne] Slot is right to be fuming. The goalkeeper is not getting anywhere near that. He had a clear line of sight.”
Fomer City defender Micah Richards said the decision was “really harsh”, adding: “The goalkeeper can see it all the way. I can understand the rules and why it was taken away but I think it’s harsh.”
Tottenham and England great Glenn Hoddle disagreed with the decision, writing on X: “The Liverpool disallowed goal sums up the game [at the moment]! Such a poor decision. Refs understand the rules but don’t understand the game.
He added: “Robertson reads the situation he’s ducking down as Van Dyke (sic) is heading the ball!! And I want City to chase Arsenal!!!“
