Liverpool’s VAR Frustration Deepens After Van Dijk Goal Ruled Out
Liverpool’s momentum came to a shuddering halt at the Etihad Stadium as VAR once again took centre stage in a controversial afternoon that left players, pundits, and fans questioning the consistency of officiating. Arne Slot’s side, fresh from consecutive wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, arrived in Manchester hoping to underline their Premier League credentials. Instead, a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and a contentious VAR decision involving Virgil van Dijk dominated the headlines.
VAR Controversy Overshadows Liverpool Performance
The game’s pivotal moment came midway through the first half. After falling behind to an Erling Haaland header, Liverpool appeared to have found a route back when van Dijk rose highest to power home from a corner. The celebrations were short-lived, however, as VAR intervened. Andy Robertson was adjudged to have been in an offside position, supposedly interfering with play and obstructing City goalkeeper Ederson’s line of vision.
The decision was met with disbelief from the Liverpool camp and many neutrals alike. Replays appeared to show that Robertson did not directly block Ederson’s sightline, leading many to suggest that the call was overly harsh and symptomatic of the confusion surrounding offside interpretations. City capitalised on Liverpool’s frustration, with Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku sealing a comprehensive win that leaves the Reds trailing in the title race.
Former Referee Criticises VAR Decision
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett offered a damning assessment of the call. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said: “Liverpool had a perfectly good goal ruled out on the basis of offside. There’s subjectivity within this law, but the key question is whether the player in an offside position actually interferes with play. Robertson didn’t block the goalkeeper’s vision or challenge for the ball — that’s not interference.”
He continued: “Yes, he was offside, but that in itself is not an offence. The officials took the easy route. The goalkeeper had a clear line of sight and wasn’t impeded. In my opinion, it was the wrong call. Good goals shouldn’t be ruled out for marginal or subjective reasons.”
Hackett’s comments have reignited the wider debate around VAR and its application in high-stakes fixtures. Critics argue that the technology, designed to ensure accuracy, has instead become a source of confusion, with subjectivity often dictating key outcomes.
Van Dijk’s Composed Response
Speaking after the match, van Dijk refused to be drawn into a public dispute with officials but hinted at his frustration. “In football, the officials decide the key moments, and we have to deal with that on the pitch,” he said. “There’s no point in me discussing it because it won’t change anything. The reality is we lost 3-0, and that’s a big blow. You guys can debate whether the goal should have stood — I’m focused on improving our performance.”
Van Dijk also acknowledged Liverpool’s struggles in the first half, admitting that City controlled possession and created discomfort for Slot’s side. “They were much more comfortable on the ball,” he explained. “We didn’t press well enough, and Doku caused problems. We improved after the break but lacked consistency. That’s what we need to find if we want to compete at the top.”
Renewed VAR Scrutiny in Premier League
Liverpool’s disallowed goal adds to a growing list of contentious VAR calls this season. Slot’s side have already seen several key moments overturned in previous fixtures, and the pattern is fuelling discontent among both managers and supporters. Questions are being asked not only about the interpretation of the offside rule but also the standard of communication between on-field officials and VAR teams.
With Liverpool’s title challenge now under pressure, the focus will inevitably shift to how Slot rallies his players and whether the Premier League can restore faith in its officiating standards. For van Dijk and company, the only option is to respond on the pitch — but the lingering sense of injustice will be difficult to ignore.
