Correct Call: Why Arne Slot’s Fury Misses the Mark After Liverpool’s Disallowed Goal at the Etihad

Liverpool manager Arne Slot cut a furious figure on the touchline after Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header was ruled out in the Reds’ 2–0 defeat to Manchester City. The Dutchman was left “rightly fuming,” according to some pundits, but a closer look at the incident — and indeed the entire match — suggests that the officials got this one spot on.

The Disallowed Goal: More Than Meets the Eye

In the 39th minute, Van Dijk rose highest from a well-rehearsed corner routine to head home what looked to be the equaliser after Erling Haaland’s opener. For a brief moment, Liverpool celebrated. But the linesman’s flag halted the cheers, and VAR confirmed that Andy Robertson had obstructed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

At first glance, it looked harsh. Robertson didn’t appear to shove or block the Italian directly. But under the laws of the game, a player in an offside position who impedes the goalkeeper’s ability to play or see the ball is interfering with play — and that’s exactly what happened. The Scottish defender had to duck as Van Dijk’s header flashed past, meaning he was directly in Donnarumma’s line of sight and proximity.

Whether intentional or not, Robertson’s positioning forced the goalkeeper to hesitate and adjust. In these moments — where inches and instincts matter — that’s enough to constitute interference. The officials, far from robbing Liverpool, applied the rules correctly.

Gary Neville’s View — and Why It Misses Context

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville questioned the call, suggesting Donnarumma had a clear view of the header. “I’m not sure, you know,” Neville said on commentary. “He’s outside the line of the goalkeeper and I think Donnarumma gets a clear view.”

But slow-motion replays told a different story. Robertson, standing just a yard offside, not only screened the keeper’s sightline but also flinched as the ball approached — a reaction that no referee could ignore. It’s one of those marginal, technical moments that divide opinion, but by the letter (and spirit) of the law, the VAR team were justified in their ruling.

Liverpool’s Bigger Problem: Being Second Best

If Slot’s frustration stemmed purely from the goal, it might be understandable. But even had Van Dijk’s effort stood, it’s difficult to argue that Liverpool deserved much from a contest dominated by their title rivals. City controlled possession, pressed with intent, and consistently found gaps in Liverpool’s midfield.

Jeremy Doku won an early penalty — saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili — and Haaland eventually opened the scoring after a chaotic defensive sequence involving Matheus Nunes and Ibrahima Konaté. By the time Nico González doubled City’s lead with a deflected effort on the stroke of half-time, the gulf between the sides was glaring.

Liverpool’s attack looked disjointed, their midfield overrun, and their full-backs pinned deep. The disallowed goal, though a talking point, shouldn’t distract from the wider truth: City were sharper, stronger, and smarter.

Perspective Needed at Anfield

Arne Slot’s tenure has brought new ideas and optimism, but this was a sobering reminder of the work ahead. Protesting one decision — however debatable — shouldn’t obscure the reality that Liverpool were second best for most of the match.

In the end, the VAR decision was correct, and the anger misplaced. Liverpool’s energy would be better spent addressing their sluggish start, patchy transitions, and reliance on set-pieces for inspiration rather than lamenting a moment that, by the laws of the game, simply didn’t count.