Liverpool have officially reached out to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after expressing frustration over the explanation given for ruling out Virgil van Dijk’s goal during Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City.
The Reds skipper appeared to have drawn his side level in the 38th minute, but the goal was disallowed as Andy Robertson was flagged offside and accused of obstructing the goalkeeper’s view.
However, Liverpool’s camp disagrees — pointing out that Robertson didn’t touch the ball and was positioned to the side of Gianluigi Donnarumma, not directly in his line of sight. Pundit Jay Bothroyd even suggested on Sky Sports that the only player who might have interfered with the keeper was City winger Jeremy Doku.
Liverpool Contact PGMOL Over Controversial Offside Call
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, Liverpool reached out to PGMOL chief Howard Webb on Monday to voice “serious concerns” about the decision, claiming that none of the usual conditions for disallowing a goal were met.
Club officials say they carefully reviewed all available footage from multiple camera angles and maintain that Donnarumma’s vision was not blocked by Robertson. They also believe that the VAR process was incomplete — as video official Michael Oliver did not suggest an on-field review to referee Chris Kavanagh.
Reds Demand Clarity and Accountability
Liverpool’s leadership is said to be disappointed by the officiating process, arguing that the usual VAR checks were either mishandled or skipped entirely. The club believes that had Kavanagh been invited to review the incident on the monitor, the decision could have easily gone the other way.
Robertson’s position to the left of Donnarumma — captured in Sky Sports footage — appears to show no interference, further fueling Liverpool’s protest.
Justified Response, But Outcome Unlikely to Change
Liverpool’s decision to engage with PGMOL shows they are seeking fairness through proper channels rather than emotional outbursts. However, it’s unlikely the communication will lead to any concrete changes, other than a routine acknowledgment from Webb’s office.
Two big questions remain: why did it take so long for the assistant referee to raise the flag, and why didn’t VAR intervene as expected?
While the result will not be overturned, Liverpool are determined to ensure accountability and consistency in officiating — especially after a weekend that left players, fans, and analysts questioning VAR’s reliability once again. ⚖️🔴
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