Liverpool Football Club has formally contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to express serious concerns over the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s goal during their recent 3–0 defeat to Manchester City. The controversial incident occurred during Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium, when Liverpool believed they had equalized Erling Haaland’s opener late in the first half.

Van Dijk’s header from a corner kick initially appeared to have levelled the score, but the goal was swiftly ruled out by on-field referee Chris Kavanagh. The decision was later upheld following a VAR review, with VAR official Michael Oliver supporting the on-field call. According to the Premier League match centre, the goal was disallowed because Liverpool’s 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 obstructing his line of sight.

However, sources close to Liverpool have revealed that the club strongly disputes this interpretation of Law 11, which governs offside offences. The club maintains that the wording of the law is explicit and that, after a detailed review of all available camera angles, none of the criteria required to disallow the goal were met. Specifically, Liverpool argues that Donnarumma’s vision was never impeded by Robertson’s positioning.

The disputed decision further compounded the frustration for Arne Slot’s side, who eventually succumbed to a 3–0 defeat against Manchester City. The loss leaves Liverpool in eighth place in the Premier League standings, eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool’s formal complaint to PGMOL underscores their firm belief that a critical officiating error occurred in a high-stakes fixture, one they feel may have significantly influenced the outcome of the match.