Liverpool Football Club has formally contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to express significant concerns regarding the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk's goal during their recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. The incident, which occurred in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, saw Liverpool believing they had equalized Erling Haaland's opener late in the first half.

Van Dijk's header from a corner kick initially appeared to level the score, but the goal was promptly ruled out by on-field referee Chris Kavanagh. This decision was subsequently upheld after a Video Assistant Review (VAR), with VAR Michael Oliver backing the on-field call. The official reason for the disallowance, as communicated by the Premier League match centre, was that Liverpool player Andy Robertson, who was in an offside position, was "deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper," Gianluigi Donnarumma, thereby blocking his vision.

However, sources close to Liverpool have indicated that the club vehemently disputes this interpretation of Law 11, which governs offside offences. Liverpool argues that the wording of the law is clear and that, after a comprehensive analysis of all available camera angles, no elements of the criteria necessary to disallow the goal were met. The Anfield club specifically contends that Donnarumma's vision was not impeded by Robertson's presence.

The controversial decision compounded the challenges for Arne Slot's side, who ultimately suffered a 3-0 loss to Manchester City. This result leaves Liverpool in eighth position in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Arsenal by eight points. The club's formal complaint to PGMOL underscores their firm belief that a crucial error was made in a high-stakes encounter, potentially influencing the outcome of the match.