Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left frustrated after Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header was ruled out during their 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Referee Chris Kavanagh overturned the goal after consulting VAR, judging Andy Robertson to be offside and interfering with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view — a decision that sparked debate. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg also weighed in with a different interpretation of the incident.
Erling Haaland broke the deadlock just before the 30-minute mark, and Nico Gonzalez made it 2-0 soon after when his effort deflected in off Van Dijk. Jeremy Doku later sealed the win with a superb solo strike, cutting past defenders and curling into the top corner — a finish reminiscent of Mohamed Salah.
Van Dijk believed he had equalised moments before City’s second goal when he met a corner from Salah, heading past Donnarumma. However, Robertson — standing in front of the keeper — was flagged offside. Replays showed Robertson ducking to allow the ball through, but the Premier League explained on X (formerly Twitter) that he was judged to have made an “obvious action” that interfered with the goalkeeper.
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Micah Richards felt Liverpool were unlucky, and Slot called the decision “clearly wrong.”
Speaking to Rousing The Kop, Clattenburg argued that Robertson might have avoided being penalised if he had moved sideways instead of ducking under the ball. He explained that although Robertson didn’t block Donnarumma’s line of sight, the ducking motion could be seen as a distraction, making the offside call subjective.
With the international break now underway, Slot and his squad have time to reflect on the controversial moment. Liverpool return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, followed by a Champions League meeting with PSV Eindhoven before finishing the month away to West Ham United.
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