Mark Clattenburg Shares Insight on Liverpool’s Voided Goal Against Man City

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration over referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision, following a VAR review, to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header during their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg also shared his perspective on the controversy, focusing on Andy Robertson’s positioning.

Erling Haaland broke the deadlock for Pep Guardiola’s side just before the 30-minute mark, with Nico Gonzalez doubling the lead soon after when his shot deflected off a retreating Van Dijk, who remained upset over his earlier goal being ruled out. Jeremy Doku capped off the scoring in the 63rd minute with a brilliant strike reminiscent of Mohamed Salah, dribbling past defenders before slotting the ball into the top corner.

Van Dijk believed he had equalized just before half-time, connecting with a corner from Salah and heading past Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, the assistant referee flagged the goal, judging Robertson to be offside and in the goalkeeper’s line of sight. Replays suggested Robertson had ducked to avoid obstructing Van Dijk’s header, though the Premier League noted he was considered “making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”

Commentators including Gary Neville and Micah Richards felt Liverpool were unfairly treated. Slot added: “I think it’s obvious and clear the wrong decision has been made – at least in my opinion.”

Clattenburg, speaking to Rousing The Kop, suggested Robertson could have avoided the offside call by moving left or right instead of ducking under Van Dijk’s header, which distracted the goalkeeper. “He was offside, but the question is, ‘Does he distract, in line of vision, or affect the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball?’ This is subjective, so opinions will vary,” Clattenburg said.

Liverpool now have time to reflect on the decision during the November international break. When domestic action resumes, the Reds will host Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest at Anfield, face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on November 26, and conclude the month with an away trip to West Ham United.