Nottingham Forest supporters were stunned and furious on Saturday after a potentially crucial goal was controversially ruled out in their Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield.
What looked like a completely valid strike quickly turned into one of the most talked-about VAR decisions of the weekend, sparking heated reactions from fans, pundits, and neutrals alike.
Forest had already shaken things up by taking the lead through Murillo — a goal Liverpool manager Arne Slot insisted should never have counted, comparing it to Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed effort against Manchester City before the international break. Despite Slot’s objections, the officials let the opener stand, giving Forest early momentum.
Soon after, Forest thought they had doubled their advantage. Igor Jesus controlled a ball in the box and smashed it past Alisson into the bottom corner. The away fans erupted, players celebrated, and it seemed Forest had gone 2–0 up at Anfield.
But celebrations quickly stalled. The referee blew for a handball in the buildup, leaving Jesus stunned. Replays shown inside the stadium appeared to support his innocence — the ball looked to come off his shoulder or upper chest, not his arm, and didn’t seem deliberate or advantageous. Both supporters and analysts were baffled by the decision.
VAR then stepped in to review the moment. Forest players protested, while Liverpool fans waited anxiously. Despite multiple angles suggesting no clear handball offence, VAR backed the referee’s original call and ruled put the goal.
The Premier League later released a statement on X, saying that Igor Jesus had “accidentally handled the ball before scoring,” and under current rules, such a goal must be disallowed. The explanation did little to calm the growing anger.
Forest fans flooded social media, calling the verdict one of the worst decisions of the season. Many pointed to the replays as proof the call was wrong, labelling it “a disgrace,” while neutral viewers also questioned the consistency of VAR.
The timing made the frustration even worse. A 2–0 lead at Anfield could have put Forest in full control and shifted the match firmly in their favour. Instead, the score stayed 1–0, giving a struggling Liverpool side — who had lost seven of their last ten games — a lifeline to work their way back into the contest.
