Both Manchester City and Liverpool have struggled early in the 2025/26 season, but their latest meeting still produced major talking points—chief among them the controversial decision to rule out Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header. What looked like a legitimate equalizer for Liverpool was chalked off, sparking outrage among supporters who felt their team had been denied a crucial moment in the match.
Erling Haaland, already one of the world’s most formidable strikers, opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Liverpool failed to clear their lines. The goal came shortly after he missed a penalty, making him the first City player since himself in 2023 to miss from the spot and still score in the same Premier League match.
Van Dijk’s Disallowed Goal: The Flashpoint
Liverpool believed they had levelled the score in the 39th minute when Van Dijk powered in a header from a corner. Donnarumma didn’t move for it, and celebrations erupted—only for referee Chris Kavanagh to rule it out for offside. The officials judged that Andy Robertson, standing in front of Donnarumma, obstructed the keeper’s view despite ducking out of the way. VAR upheld the decision, leaving players and fans stunned.
Premier League’s Clarification
The Premier League later confirmed that Robertson had been deemed offside and guilty of making an “obvious action” by blocking Donnarumma’s line of sight. Even though he didn’t touch the ball, his positioning was viewed as interfering with play, and the goal was correctly disallowed under the laws of the game.
Liverpool fans were furious online, calling the decision “a robbery” and “a disgrace,” arguing that Robertson’s attempt to move was clear and should have allowed the goal to stand.
Pundits Weigh In
Sky Sports analysts Gary Neville and Micah Richards both questioned the ruling. Neville admitted he couldn’t understand why the goal was chalked off, calling it extremely harsh, while Richards agreed the call was open to debate. Both felt the situation highlighted how inconsistent offside interpretations can be.
City Extend Their Lead
The controversy worsened for Liverpool when City doubled their advantage almost immediately. Nico Gonzalez scored just before halftime after a quick counterattack, his shot deflecting off Van Dijk and wrong-footing goalkeeper Mamardashvili. What could have been 1–1 quickly became 2–0, compounding Liverpool’s frustration.
Fans React: ‘Robbed’
Social media buzzed with angry Liverpool supporters insisting the goal should have stood. Many felt the offside rule was being applied too rigidly and that VAR had once again overshadowed the game.
City Show Their Strength
Despite the uproar, City maintained control, with Haaland constantly troubling Liverpool’s back line. Their dominance continued into the second half as Liverpool’s defensive issues persisted.
Liverpool’s Ongoing Struggles
The loss added to Liverpool’s difficult start to the season. Despite bright moments from key attackers, the team’s inconsistency and defensive lapses remain a major concern. While the disallowed goal was the headline moment, deeper problems still need addressing if they are to compete for top honors.
The VAR Debate Continues
The incident reignited discussions about VAR’s role in the Premier League. Critics argue that decisions like this disrupt the flow of the game and often feel overly technical. Supporters of the system maintain that it ensures accuracy, but controversies like this show how divisive it remains.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool will need to recover quickly and focus on tightening their defense and improving results. The frustration from the Van Dijk decision will linger, but their response in the coming weeks will be far more important.
Conclusion
The disallowed goal was a major turning point in an already tough match for Liverpool. While opinions on the decision remain mixed, the implications for the team are clear: they must regroup, adapt, and push for a stronger run of form. For Manchester City, the match was another strong statement of their title ambitions, while Liverpool face a challenging path to redemption.
