Explained: Why Liverpool were denied Virgil van Dijk equaliser against Manchester City
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was furious about the decision
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Liverpool were denied an equaliser in the first half of their meeting with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in a decision that proved contentious.
The hosts went a goal ahead through Erling Haaland, having missed a penalty earlier in the half, but the Reds thought theyâd got one back just under 10 minutes later when Virgil van Dijk nodded home a Mohamed Salah corner.
It wasnât to be, however, with the fourth official quickly declaring offside and chalking the goal off, a decision both referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR agreed with.
The rule that denied Liverpool an equaliser against Manchester City
Andy Robertson was judged to be offside despite not touching the ball (Image credit: Getty Images)Left-back Andy Robertson was the offending party, who had been left in the six-yard box as the City backline pushed up.
Van Dijk headed his effort straight at his fellow defender, but the Scotsman clearly ducked, made no contact with the ball, and it squeezed past the outstretched arm of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“I think it’s really harsh”Micah Richards and Roy Keane share their thoughts on the disallowed Liverpool goal đ pic.twitter.com/MqIah11v1uNovember 9, 2025
However, according to the rulebook, a player is offside, even if they donât touch the ball, when interfering with an opponent.
One such example outlined in the laws states a player cannot make âan obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ballâ.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
While Robertson didnât touch the ball or impede Donnarumma physically, and made every effort to get out of the way, he ducked late.
The Scotland internationalâs mere presence in the flight path of the ball could have created a flicker of doubt in the City glovemanâs mind about whether to dive, or hold his position to anticipate an extra touch from Robertson.
As heâs in an offside position, such an action is against the rules and the goal, therefore, cannot stand â the reasoning later confirmed by the Premier League Match Centre on X.
Van Dijk’s disallowed goal could have changed the course of the game had it stood (Image credit: Getty Images)Despite the officialsâ justified thinking, it was still a controversial decision, as subjective offsides often are.
âNo, I wouldnât agree with that, I think itâs harsh,â pundit and former City player Micah Richards told Sky Sports. âI think the goalkeeper can see it all the way.â
In FourFourTwoâs opinion, while Donnarumma doesnât look like heâs reaching the header with Robertson there or not, itâs difficult to quantify whether Robertsonâs presence delayed his move over to his left, and what impact that may have had on the save.
Itâs a tight call, but the officials were probably right on balance.
Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hattersâ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.
