The Premier League has once again been engulfed in controversy following a dramatic and highly disputed decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s goal for Liverpool against Manchester City. The incident has sparked outrage among players, pundits, and the club itself, raising fresh questions about the role and limits of VAR.
In the 38th minute of the match, Van Dijk headed home what appeared to be an equaliser. However, referee Chris Kavanagh, supported by his assistant Stuart Burt, waved the goal off for offside. The ruling hinged on Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, who was judged to be in an offside position and making a movement that “impacted the goalkeeper’s line of vision.” VAR official Michael Oliver reviewed the play and backed the on-field decision.
Liverpool were quick to register their displeasure. According to reports, the club has formally contacted PGMOL, the body responsible for referees in English professional football, claiming the decision misinterpreted Law 11 and that no clear criteria for an offside offense were met. Many within the club argue that Robertson’s movement did not meaningfully obstruct City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Adding to the drama, the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel later reviewed the decision and concluded that, while officials erred in ruling out the goal, VAR was not necessarily wrong to leave the original decision in place The panel’s reasoning: the call was subjective, and VAR intervenes only in “clear and obvious” errors — a threshold they believe was not crossed.
Top referee figure Howard Webb, head of PGMOL, has defended his match officials, describing their choice as “not unreasonable.” Webb noted that referees must make judgment calls in real time and that interference with the goalkeeper’s vision is something that can be judged differently from various angles.
Not everyone agrees, however. Several pundits — including Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville — have strongly criticized the decision. Rooney, in particular, argued that Donnarumma clearly saw the header and that Robertson’s positioning did not meaningfully affect him, calling the VAR intervention “an obvious and clear error.”
The fallout extends beyond pundits. Fans on social media have erupted with frustration over the perceived inconsistency in VAR decisions. Many believe this incident further undermines the credibility of video review, reigniting longstanding debates over the technology’s impact on the flow and fairness of the game.
Liverpool face a crucial stretch of matches following the controversy, but the outcome of this refereeing dispute could have long-term implications. As calls grow for clearer guidelines and accountability, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the precarious balance between technology and human judgment in modern football.
