The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel has acknowledged that the disallowance of Virgil van Dijk’s goal during the match against Manchester City last weekend was an error. The incident, which saw Van Dijk’s header initially equalize the score at 1-1, was overturned on the grounds that Andy Robertson was in an offside position and allegedly interfered with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

In response to the decision, Liverpool reached out to the refereeing body, PGMOL, voicing their dissatisfaction and arguing that the decision did not align with the established criteria of the offside laws. Despite the panel’s admission of the mistake, they upheld that it was not appropriate to overturn the VAR decision made on the field, citing the subjective nature of such calls.

The ruling incited frustration among Liverpool supporters, who argued that Robertson did not obstruct Donnarumma’s view, as the goalkeeper maintained a clear line of sight at all times. Following the match, Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, expressed his disappointment, stating, “I think it is obvious and clear the wrong decision has been made. He [Robertson] didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper can do.”

The panel did, though, say it was correct to not overturn the VAR decision made on the pitch as it was a subjective call.

Liverpool fans were furious with the goal being ruled out, pointing out that Robertson was never in between the ball and Donnarumma, who had a clear line of sight. 

Virgil van Dijk scored past Gianluigi Donnarumma but the goal was controversially chalked off

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel has said it should not have been disallowed

After the game, Reds boss Arne Slot said: ‘I think it is obvious and clear the wrong decision has been made. He [Robertson] didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper can do.’. 

He added: ‘Immediately after the game someone showed me the goal that the same referee allowed – City against Wolves last season (when Bernardo Silva was on the line for a John Stones header).

‘So it took the linesman 13 seconds to raise his flag to say it was offside. So there was clearly communication, but as I said that (goal) could have influenced the game in a positive way for us.’

But referees’ chief Howard Webb launched a staunch defence of the decision on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show on Tuesday.

Webb said: ‘Interfering with an opponent where the offside position player doesn’t play the ball and the officials have to make a judgment whether the actions of that player impact an opponent, are some of the most subjective decisions that we have to make. 

Howard Webb has launched a staunch defence of the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk ‘s goal

‘Therefore, it’s no surprise that some people believe this goal should have stood, so I think it’s important that we look at the facts of what actually happened in this situation.

‘We know the corner comes in and the ball reaches Van Dijk. As the ball’s coming across the penalty area, the Manchester City players move out, they leave Robertson in that offside position in the heart of the six-yard box.

‘When Van Dijk heads the ball forward, that’s the moment when we have to make an offside judgment about Robertson and about what he’s doing there.

‘We know he doesn’t touch the ball but what does he do? Well, as the ball moves towards him, three yards out from goal, right in the middle of the six-yard box, he makes that clear action to duck below the ball.

‘The ball goes just over his head, and the ball finds the goal in the half of the six-yard box where he is. Then, the officials have to make a judgment – did that clear action impact on Donnarumma, the goalkeeper, and his ability to save the ball? And that’s where the subjectivity comes into play.

Liverpool were furious at the decision and pointed out that Andy Robertson did not interfere 

‘Obviously that’s the conclusion they drew on that. They looked at that position, they looked at that action, so close to the goalkeeper, and they formed that opinion.’

They also televised the conversation the officials had when disallowing the goal. 

As van Dijk scores, the AR2 (Second Assistant Referee) can be heard exclaiming: ‘Robertson, Robertson, Robertson. Robertson’s in line of vision, right in front of the keeper. He’s ducked under the ball. He’s very, very close to him. I think he’s line of vision. I think he’s been impacted, mate.’

Referee Chris Kavanagh then responds: ‘Ok, so offside then?’ to which the AR2 says: ‘I think offside.’

The VAR team led by Michael Oliver are then brought in – and they rule that Robertson is in an offside position before they consider if he has blocked Donnarumma’s vision.

Speaking to the referee, Oliver says: ‘Confirming the on-field decision off offside against Andy Robertson. He is in an offside position, very close to the goalkeeper, and makes an obvious movement directly in front of him. Check complete. Offside.’

Webb said while he understands his opinion to support the decision is ‘not a view held by everybody’ he argues that ‘it’s not unreasonable to understand why they would form that conclusion’.