Neither Arne Slot’s Liverpool nor Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have had ideal starts to the 2025/26 Premier League season, but their clash at the Etihad delivered plenty of drama — particularly surrounding why Virgil van Dijk’s first-half goal was disallowed for offside.
In what is usually a top-of-the-table battle between two English giants, it was Erling Haaland who broke the deadlock just before the 30-minute mark.
Moments later, Van Dijk appeared to have equalised with a towering header that beat Gianluigi Donnarumma — who didn’t even attempt to make a save — seemingly bringing Liverpool level before halftime.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. The referee ruled the goal out for offside, leaving Liverpool players and fans confused.
According to officials, Andy Robertson was positioned in front of Donnarumma and was deemed to have obstructed the goalkeeper’s view.
Replays showed Robertson ducking as Van Dijk’s header flew into the net, but VAR confirmed the assistant referee’s call. The Premier League later issued a statement explaining the decision:
“The referee’s call of offside and no goal to Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR — with Robertson in an offside position and judged to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Micah Richards both expressed surprise at the decision during halftime analysis, with Neville calling it “a very harsh call.”
Liverpool fans online were furious, calling it a “robbery” and “a disgrace,” with many believing the goal should have stood.
To compound Liverpool’s misery, City extended their lead just before the interval. Bernardo Silva fed Nico Gonzalez on the edge of the box, and the Spaniard’s strike deflected off Van Dijk’s leg and beat Giorgi Mamardashvili, sealing a nightmare first half for Arne Slot’s side.
