VAR, vision and Van Dijk: the call that rocked Liverpool at the Etihad

Two heavyweights still finding their rhythm served up full-blooded Premier League drama at the Etihad — and, predictably, it was the lads in the booth who had the final say. Liverpool believed Virgil van Dijk had dragged them level on 39 minutes, only for the flag and the technology to snatch it back. Manchester City had already been set on their way by Erling Haaland — who somehow managed to both miss a penalty and score — before the real controversy landed.

The incident: Robertson in the eyeline

Van Dijk powered home a superb header and wheeled away, but attention immediately flicked to Andy Robertson, stationed in front of City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Scottish full-back ducked beneath the flight of the ball, and the on-field team led by Chris Kavanagh judged him offside and interfering with the goalkeeper’s line of sight. Cue confusion, fury and a wall of noise from the away end.

What the Premier League said

After a check, the VAR upheld the original decision. The Premier League’s match centre explained that Robertson was in an offside position and made an obvious movement directly in front of the goalkeeper, affecting him — therefore the goal could not stand. In short: offside, due to interference with the keeper, not because Robertson touched the ball.

The law and the grey area

By the letter of Law 11, you’re interfering with an opponent if you impact their ability to play the ball — and blocking the keeper’s view qualifies. The grey bit is always the same: would the keeper have saved it anyway? Donnarumma barely twitched as the header flashed in, which is exactly why officials often side with the original call; the threshold for overturning is high. For Liverpool, it feels harsh. For referees, it’s textbook.

Pundits and fan reaction

On Sky, Gary Neville looked baffled and Micah Richards wasn’t having it either, echoing the anger flooding social media. Many Reds called it daylight robbery; City fans pointed to the law and shrugged. This is the modern game: intent versus impact, and a decision that will be debated all week.

The sting in the tail

As Liverpool were still chewing over the call, City twisted the knife. Bernardo Silva slipped a pass to Nico Gonzalez, whose strike clipped Van Dijk and wrong-footed Giorgi Mamardashvili right on half-time. A deflection, a dash of luck, and a two-goal cushion that changed the tone of the contest.

Big picture

Neither Arne Slot’s holders nor Pep Guardiola’s men have hit top gear to start 2025/26, but this had all the old ingredients: Haaland decisive even on an off day from the spot, Liverpool’s set-piece menace, and a razor-edge refereeing call. Expect managers to preach the law; expect supporters to remember the moment.

For those tracking the wider weekend narrative — form lines, odds swings and the rest — our hub on best betting sites has all the context you need, and the only certainty is that decisions like this keep the title race spicy.