Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Descends Into Chaos After Two Huge VAR Decisions

Liverpool and Nottingham Forest fans were left furious after both sides were hit by contentious decisions during the first half of their Premier League clash at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool were hoping to reset after the international break following a difficult start to their title defence, but their afternoon quickly deteriorated against Sean Dyche’s Forest on Saturday (November 22).

Forest took the lead in the 33rd minute when Murillo smashed in from a corner. Some Liverpool fans argued that Dan Ndoye was obstructing Alisson’s view, drawing comparisons to Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed header against Manchester City, when Andrew Robertson was ruled to have blocked Gianluigi Donnarumma. This time, however, the goal was allowed to stand.

Moments later, Forest found the net again through Igor Jesus, but referee Andy Madley chalked it off for handball, even though replays initially suggested the ball hit the striker’s chest. After a VAR review, the on-field decision was upheld, keeping the score at 1-0.

Supporters of both clubs quickly took to social media to vent their frustration at the two calls.

One fan wrote: “Look at Ndoye — he’s right in front of Alisson. How has that been allowed after what was ruled out for us in the last game?” Another added: “Alisson wasn’t saving it anyway, but we just want consistency. It was the same as the Robbo one, but the opposite outcome.”

A third complained: “VAR got both decisions wrong! If VVD was offside last week, Ndoye is offside today. And that wasn’t handball for Forest’s second. They cancelled each other out—1-0 is probably fair.”

A fourth said: “How is Ndoye having less impact than Robertson was against City? The inconsistency is impossible to follow.” A fifth raged: “PGMOL need to disband tonight! How is that second goal ruled out? That’s not a clear and obvious handball.”

The Premier League Match Centre later clarified the decisions. On Murillo’s opener, it stated: “The referee’s on-field decision to award the goal was checked and confirmed — Ndoye was not in Alisson’s line of sight and did not interfere with an opponent.”

On the overturned second goal, it added: “The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed — Jesus was judged to have accidentally handled the ball before scoring.”

Forest did eventually double their lead in the 46th minute when Nicolo Savona converted Neco Williams’ cutback, leaving Anfield stunned.